Put Off Procrastination

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What May I Do? Do What You Can!

Holidays· Mindset

11 May

 

When we moved to Spain, former procrastinators, we’d been without a phone for six months when my parents came to visit.  Daddy and I returned home from errands one day to find an unmarked truck in front of the house.

Sure enough, when we opened the front door, a man jumped up from a kitchen chair and begged, “Please, tell me where you want your phone – because THIS LADY”– he pointed to my mother – “will not let me go!”

Mother had answered the knock and immediately realized from his tool belt that this was the longed-for telephone man.  She spoke no Spanish and was the only adult home.  She’d often told me “You can’t do everything.  Do what you can.”  So she did.

She grabbed the Spanish dictionary from the shelf and looked up the word for “sit.”  Then she pulled out a kitchen chair, and graciously motioned to the man, saying sweetly, “Senta.”  He sat down.

Every time he stood up, Mother pointed to the chair and using her stern teacher voice, told him to  “Senta!”  He would sit again.  She kept him there for 45 minutes until we arrived!

It was nice to have a phone.  Even nicer to have a mom who modeled a “What CAN I do?” attitude.

I hope you enjoyed special moments with your loved ones this Mother’s Day or had some delightful “distant hugs” via phone call.

Do you have a personal hindrance?  What CAN you do?

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4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Linda says

    May 11, 2020 at 9:06 am

    Thank you! I love this story, I will remember the wisdom here. Your wonderous mother was courageous- she was determined to protect and persist. She held the attention of that dear man with just one word for all that time. the word “sit” can also mean “Stay”, which is good for us all. We need to remember to stay- and to be as bold as your amazing Mother. We can each stay, be determined and Have Courage!

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      May 11, 2020 at 12:45 pm

      Linda, I appreciate your insight and application. Have a great week!

      Reply
  2. Missy Jones says

    May 12, 2020 at 9:06 am

    Oh, Beth! I remember Marion telling this story! Loved beinG reminded of it aGain….i can hear Mrs Betty encouraging this man to stay…Undoubtedly with a smile on her face! Love you! Hope your Mothers day was special-

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      May 12, 2020 at 9:34 pm

      Glad you enjoyed the grin, Missy! Hope your Mother’s Day was good too.

      Reply

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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.

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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/
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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.”
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"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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