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A Joy-Spreading Mom (In Merry May)

Decision Making· Holidays· Mindset

13 May

Hope you enjoyed a happy Mother’s Day, former procrastinators.  May the Lord bless each of you with a memory or lesson to cherish and to pass on.

My mom helped other people enjoy life.  She recognized windows of opportunity to do that and stepped through them.  How long will your daughter want to play with dolls?  How often does a first-time event happen?  How long will health hold up?  She refused to delay.

There are special ways Mother brought personal joy to me.  She was a “Joy Allower,” a “Joy Setter Upper,” and a “Joy Sharer” in in my life.  I’m so grateful.  Can I be like that?

A “Joy Allower.”  My cousins and I enjoyed playing with dolls. We three girls collected little clothes, tiny dishes, and miniature furniture. Imagination and creativity reigned when we got together.  Plus, we had my mom who said “Yes.”  Mother would let us take over the living room, push back furniture, and construct elaborate sprawling doll houses. We used encyclopedias to create levels, candy box inserts for bookcases, etc.  I once made a record player out of a toothpick box.  (Must I define record player?)  We’d call Mother in, explain our designs, and demonstrate our creations;  she’d admire our handiwork.  Dollhouse-in-the-living-room binges might last ten days.  We could leave everything set up as long as we played with it.  When play stopped, the day had come to clean up and restore the living room to order.  Mother never rushed us.

A “Joy Setter-Upper.”  Prior to my first formal, Mother arranged a special shopping trip for the two of us.  We boarded the train in our town (a line soon discontinued) and rode it 40 miles to the city.  My first train ride. We had a wonderful girl time shopping.  We ladies ate lunch in the department store tea room.  On the ride home, we opened our packages and admired our purchases.  My new formal cost 20 dollars.  There was a pair of long white gloves and an evening bag I still use.  Mother initiated, then we were grateful and happy together.

A “Joy Sharer.”  Mother delighted in our children.  They were answers to her prayers.  She held out on being called “Grandmother” and she got it.  She beamed when she’d say of our son, “Nobody else says Grandmotherrrrr like he does.”  She was thrilled to hear our daughter share Bible verses.  God’s word coming from her grandchild was a deep joy.

She was constantly interested in our children, wrote them in a shaky hand, sent fun gifts, and made phone calls.  She travelled to visit us when it was hard for her because she knew how much we wanted her and Daddy to be in our home. And because she wanted to be with us and the grandchildren who were two of her greatest joys.

The ways Mother helped others enjoy life brought great joy to hers.

In what way can you be a “Joy -Allower” this week, a “Joy Setter -Upper” or a “Joy Sharer”?

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BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

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“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”

Carole S.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:42:59-04:00

Carole S.

“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/carole-s/
“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”

Rebecca F.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:43:28-04:00

Rebecca F.

“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/rebecca-f/
"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."

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2018-08-13T20:09:23-04:00

Mary R.

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
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2018-08-16T14:41:28-04:00

Cindy C.

"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."
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“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”

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2018-08-16T14:41:59-04:00

Christine B.

“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/christine-b/
"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."

Julia F.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:42:31-04:00

Julia F.

"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/julia-f/
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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

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