Advice I Never Gave

If You Want It Done Right, Do It Yourself!

I may have given this advice to my daughters, but I don’t think so. They were so strong-willed from the first, there was no need. If I had a quarter every time one of them said, “I do it myself!” with a cute and determined little stomp and hand shove, I’d be rich. Instead of being upset, in my memory anyway, mostly I was proud. I always wanted my girls to grow up with their own opinions and determination to take the bull by the horns and get ‘er done!

In the past, and yes, still today, backing off and asking for help is difficult for me. Dang it! I could always get ‘er done! Well, not perfectly, but I tried.

And this is a total lie. Through the years, I depended on many to save my backside with my crazy musicals, events, and household projects.

I often started projects and said, “Oops! That’s not what I intended.” Or, “Oops, what do I do now?” Like when I tore the paneling off the basement walls and dumped them in the driveway. Or pulled up carpeting and did the same. Or the time I peeled tiles from a bedroom ceiling and threw them out the bedroom window. In retrospect, much of my life is good intentions with imperfect carry through.

For my New Year’s Object Lesson, I bought My Pillows for everyone, and over-sized pillow cases. We piled in rocks which I had labeled things like anger, worry, grudges and other things that would disturb our rest. We then talked about resting in the Lord. I suggested using the extra length of the pillow case to symbolically tie it to keep those things from disturbing either our physical or spiritual rest. I should have listened to my sermon!

I have been editing my novels to get them all online by my birthday. I tossed and turned one entire night after trying to put all the pieces necessary on the website I am using to self-publish. After another few hours of worry, I decided I just want to write. I do want everything done right, BUT I CANNOT DO IT MYSELF! And there is no need to! I’ve contacted Valerie who is in charge of my website to get things done. My relief after talking to her was like taking rocks out of my pillow.

I’ll admit I still have major authority problems, but I am trying to learn to let go of self-will, pride in my abilities (or attempts anyway!), and stubbornness. I may as well get rid of that now. I figure as I age, I’ll keep going downhill on that set of resolutions. Or that’s what I’m seeing anyway.

The whole chapter 3 of Proverbs is worth the read in several versions.  Here are two verses from the Passion Translation:  “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat  or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. NLT

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord. Then it will succeed. TLB

Truth for sure!

Blessings

KB