Not only am I prone to be a procrastinator, but I am prone to getting lost. I think I’m just missing the “directional chip.” Often it is difficult for me to discern direction or how one street runs in relation to another.
My dear friend was once traveling with some other women. They stopped overnight at a hotel on the highway. After breakfast the next morning, they hopped in the car to continue their journey. Nearly two hours down the road these women realized they were driving in the direction they’d come from the previous night. Instead of moving toward their destination, they were driving away from it.
They turned around, retraced their drive, and ate lunch at the same place they’d eaten breakfast!
I do the same thing when I act without thinking about where my actions will take me – toward the destination I want or away from it.
When I move away from it, I have to catch myself, turn around, and recover the ground I lost just to get back to the point I left. Then I can begin to gain new territory. When I binge on chips three days in a row, I have to devote precious time to recover ground I lost when I allowed my feet to take me where my taste buds wanted.
I also lost the distance I could’ve travelled forward during that period. So, a double loss. That’s disappointing. But it’s more disappointing not to catch myself and recover. Pondering the path of my feet is a worthwhile investment. (Proverbs 4:26)
What caused those ladies to drive off in the wrong direction? Inattention. They certainly intended to go in the right direction. Most likely they were simply enjoying each other. But – they forgot to check the path of their feet. We all do it in some form.
Please note: Moms and caregivers may think they’re just spinning their wheels going nowhere – or backwards. Not so. God is at work in and through us when we are faithful to the duties we are called to. Time spent caring for loved ones may feel like three steps forward, two steps back; but avoid regret. Listen to your husband, play with your children, and hold the hand of your grandmother. You are moving forward if you do what needs doing when it needs doing.
I’m talking about driving on the wrong trail because of inattention to my behavior. I want to eat lunch in some better place I’ve never been because I’ve grown by being diligent.
In what area are you perhaps driving in the wrong direction?
So needed to hear this today! Sometimes doing the right thing gets boring for me. I’m moving forward, that’s the goal.
Hi, Dana! Moving forward is exciting in itself. Good for you keeping on keeping on! You’re being faithful. You’ll be rewarded.