This morning as I prepared my morning coffee I realized that all my normal coffee mugs were dirty. My mug tree sitting next to my coffee machine which is normally decorated with six lovely cups was mug-less. I opened my cupboard door where my back-up mugs are kept and discovered that even my normal back-up mugs were dirty. If you know me, even a little bit, then you know that this is a code red situation. Other than running out of coffee, this is a coffee addicts connoisseur’s worst nightmare.
I had to resort to using the back-up to the back-up mugs. This morning, I am drinking coffee from a Santa Clause cup. I don’t think I’ve ever actually used this mug before. I didn’t even know I owned this mug. I found it sitting in the back corner of my cupboard. Like an oasis spotted in a dry and barren desert, there it sat offering hope to a thirsty traveler!
My coffee cup (near) catastrophe triggered a question:
Why do we sometimes wait to do what we should do until all other options have been exhausted?
I needed to turn my dishwasher on two days ago. But I haven’t yet.
We wait until we are running on empty before we make the choice to fill back up.
We wait until our situations are miserable or unmanageable before we decide to act.
We settle for mediocre and good enough instead of chasing after excellent and best.
We wait and we procrastinate until the pain or the uncomfortable finally compels us to choose differently.
There was a time in my life when it was common behavior for me to wait to make better choices until I was desperate. I would wait until my back was up against the wall. This morning’s little experience reminded me that I don’t like living that way.
I want to make the choice to fill back up before I am empty.
I want to make the choice to act before situations become miserable and unmanageable.
I want to make the choice to not settle for mediocre when God promises me there is so much more if I would make the choice to trust Him wholeheartedly today!
You have choices to make today. Be intentional. Choose wisely.
And now, if you will excuse me, I have to go turn my dishwasher on.
You’ve described me to a T. My middle name is Procrastination. In the little things and the major ones. It’s another reminder of our Humanity.
Anne, I think I’m a selective procrastinator. I’m very thankful each day is a new day to try again.
That’s me. I think I have a Master’s degree in Selective Procrastination. Thanks for this post!
ha! nice, Jon.
when it comes down to me…it’s laziness…i know i must have thought about doing the dishes (the old fashoned way) a thousand times when there is only like 2 cups and a plate…i pass by and let tell myself…later….later…too lazy right now…
then before I know it…the sink is stacked to the celiing with like 100 cups and a million plates!!! Crap!!!
why?….hmmm…good question…
I think you’re right, Arny. With things like chores, it has a lot to do with laziness but for the bigger issues I think it comes down to fear of the unknown. The familiar is so much “easier” we think then stepping out and doing the work of learning and changing and growing.
You know, this is so true. We all want to wait for the perfect timing or we feel we’ll miss out. Love that you are reminding us all that now is as good a time as any. Great post.
Thanks Allison! And, we all know that “perfect” timing never arrives. It’s just another excuse.
I am sitting here this morning with my favorite – well one of my favorite mugs- I have 2, filled with the warm brew reading this and just had to laugh. Because I am so a coffee connoisseur as well. And have seen me doing just this.I’ve had to resort to using my to go mug and the only traveling I was doing for that day was from my kitchen to my computer. In fact I have to go get more coffee mate today, (I have just enough for this morning.)
Debi
haha! Thanks, Debi. We could never be roommates…we would fight over the last clean travel mug 😉
Powerful, powerful post, Eileen! Why do we wait, why do we settle? And there is that word again, intentional. Okay, I get it now.
Yep! The power to choose is huge.
Hi Eileen – I chuckled at this because I am in this fog at the moment. Waiting until I have to before I actually do…. great reminder to not let ourselves get on reserve!
God bless
Tracy
I found myself in that same fog before. 🙂
What a question: “Why do we sometimes wait to do what we should do until all other options have been exhausted?”
And, yet again, you use your superpower of exploring lessons in the everyday moments of life. (We need to think of a superhero name for you and this talent.) I’m thanking God for giving you that gift.
That made me smile and laugh, Caroline. Thank you!