I must say that the second day of Lent (or is this the first day & Ash Wednesday is its own day?) has just let me have it with both barrels. I have often practically bragged about how sluglike I am – slothful, lazy, slacker, "Piece of Sh** Housewife" (sorry for the language - this was the result of a Facebook quiz – and is terrifyingly accurate!)… These are all adjectives I've used for my usual demeanor. Well, now I'm forced to admit that this behavior is probably not the best me that I can be – or the me that God would like me to be.
Here is the reading for the 18th from this website (emphasis added):
We call it procrastination. Sometimes it is fleeting and temporary. At other times it becomes so habitual that we lack the energy or motivation to do what needs to be done. Sly as a snake, sloth has slipped into our soul and shut down our desire to be active in bringing God's goodness to the world by what we create. Sloth feels like pampering at first, but gradually our soul grows heavy, and it feels like our meaning has been stripped away.
Jesus resisted his temptations to satiety and power better than I resist mine to indolence -- no surprise there. As always, I am impressed by how gentle and reasonable my temptations seem: Oh, never mind, sweetie, they say, you're tired. Just take it easy. God loves you just the way you are.
Indeed, God does love me just the way I am. Always has, even at those sorry times when what I was has been significantly south of what I could have been. But the fact that God loves me as I am doesn't mean God wants me to stay that way forever. Part of love is challenge: Be what you can be. Grow into the full stature of Christ. Use what I have given you, and take joy in using it. I will give you the energy for it if you will step up to the plate and begin. See? Feel the stream of living water that flows straight from my heart to yours? Let that stream rush with power into the world, and you will know why I put you here, in this place, at this time.
I think I'll be spending some serious time this weekend considering how to get up out of this chair and do something!
Oh, I'm right there with you. I have to be the most sedentary (lazy) person I know. Terrible, but I've been working out on a regular basis recently. I have to admit it feels very good. It's just getting myself to do it that's the hard part.
ReplyDeleteGo stream! Go!
ReplyDeleteI think you are not alone here Bug. Many of us have our days when we need an extra push. I love the sidebar you have of the cute dogs. I look forward to seeing them each time I come here.
ReplyDeleteI'm best friends with sloth, so this one sort of hits me between the eyes as well. Barbara paraphrases a quote from a bishop (I can never remember which one) who said, "God loves us as I we are, and he loves us too much to leave us that way." Always being led to something better, greater, more.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm going to nudge you here. Don't sit and think about it, get up and do. I have a friend (now deceased) whose father instilled in her two related values: get the job done, and complete the transaction. I hear her voice in my head all the time when I tend too much toward the slothful. But it works. Even if I get up and get one thing done. Somehow one thing leads to another, "oh well, may as well as long as I'm up." And before I know it I've accomplished a Real Task.
Just encouraging you. We're all in this together!
Dear The Bug,
ReplyDeleteI am also getting up and out of my chair, but don't forget us over here. You also accomplish something when you write, think, share, and produce on your blog. You really do.
Now I'm straightening up, flying right, and I'll see you tomorrow,
Ann T.
When you find the means to do that please share...I am afraid the boat you are in has many many passengers.
ReplyDeleteRealizing is half the battle, or at least 30% or so.
Amy
I always seem to find reasons for not taking things on, and I need to explore that as well. I "intend" to do a good many things... volunteer at our Homeless Health Clinic is a good example... yet I never make that phone call. I was asked to take on the role of Parish Nurse, yet found ten reasons why I did not feel suited. Sigh.... we all need a nudge.
ReplyDeleteAction is simply habit. I have to force myself to do things when they happen or occur to me and not put them off. After decades of forcing, it has become second habit.
ReplyDeleteDon't sell yourself short.
I will come and dust your house if you will get my tax stuff together...
ReplyDeletesaw your comment on 2nd Cup of Coffee
This strikes a chord with me too. A good kick up the bum (Brit-speak for backside, not homeless person) is what's needed for me.
ReplyDeleteThe God I worship wants us to be happy, and as long as we don't harm others, we can live any way we like. Some people are neat freaks, some not so much. In the spectrum of sin, I think not being a big ole obsessive housecleaner ranks on the shallow end. You're doing everything right.
ReplyDeletexx