Finish What I Start

Former procrastinators, two simple things at our house would lift a load and make the atmosphere more pleasant. One is throw away trash immediately. (Trash the Trash, July 10, 2017)

Easy-Do Two is Finish What I Start.

The first way to finish is clean up. Replace the wrapping paper, hammer, phone directory. Make space and save items from loss by returning them to their proper place. Neglect creates irritation. Consider a dirty snack bowl on the counter instead of in the dishwasher or sink according to mom’s stated preference.

The other way to finish is to complete the job itself, not leave things hanging. Projects can languish, as my friend says, half done on the desk, counter, in the corner. They become part of the landscape. We cease to see them or hear their calls. “Complete me!” Resident clutter. Yuck!

Proverbs 12:27: “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” ESV ends, “the diligent man gets precious wealth.”

We’ve done part of the job – but miss the benefit of the completed task. A gift to return, photo albums to fill, a new skirt to hem, papers to file. I recently went through a box of items and dealt with all but the last three. They stayed on the counter two weeks. “Complete me!”

The first time I actually noticed people start and finish a job in full was at the dinner table of friends. It was her birthday and he gave her a new watch band. She took off her watch immediately, he replaced the old band with the new, and they threw away the box. I noticed because I would’ve set the box down, later moved it to my dresser, and waited a week to put on the new band. Why?

The first time I noticed myself finishing what I started, our daughter and I purchased fabric to hang behind the shelves in a secretary. We came home, unloaded the shelves, tacked up the fabric, replaced the shelves and contents. Done! When I see that corner of the room, I rejoice in the lighter background and in the job we did start to finish with no delays. We did what needed doing when it needed doing. All of it.

If something must be done in stages, we can still step through those diligently without delay. No gathering dust or growing mildew.

Sometimes I struggle with follow through of the whole job because when I make a decision, I feel the work is done. Not true. We determine we can attend a party, but the RSVP still sits here. I decide to take a course, but the registration form joins a pile. Now I do not strike an item off my do list unless the entire thing is done. Finish the job.

Who wants to leave a carcass in her camp just to smell and rot?

What leftovers are lying around your house? What job will you completely finish this week?