Just as a side note, I know that my post title technically isn’t true, but I’m in a weird mood, and that is what I want to call it. So deal with it.
Now that we’re through with the preliminaries, I have something to tell you.
I am an impatient person.
Yes, dear friend, you heard me right. Riah is impatient. I like things to be done promptly, “quickly and efficiently” as I tell my siblings when they dawdle while picking up toys. It drives me crazy when people move slowly; I like to be swift and complete any given task as soon as possible. I’m also slightly *cough* OCD about things be clean, neat, and in order. Mom will be in the middle of making dinner, and I’ll start putting away ingredients that I think she’s done with – when she’s not. I want things to be tidy, and I want to be places on time. Which, in our family of nine, almost never happens.
This is something I have been aware of for a while, and am trying to control. I mean, really, does it matter if Levi and David take twenty minutes to pick up a handful of toys? Is it going to kill me to leave the salt shaker out until Mom finishes making dinner? No. I just have to keep telling myself that it doesn’t matter.
But my impatience extends beyond the desire to ‘clean up’ quickly. I can’t tell you how many story plots I have stashed away in a folder, waiting to be written, because I don’t want to take the time to outline them. Seriously. It’s ridiculous. I am a plot-first writer, which means that story ideas come to me naturally, while characters are a little harder for me to create (but certainly not less pleasurable). When I think of a story that I love, I sit down and write as it comes to me. In the end, what I have is a great idea with no PLOT whatsoever. Needless to say, it’s frustrating.
If I just took the time at the beginning, however, to outline my story and figure out what’s going to happen, my books would turn out a lot better. And I know this. But I’m too impatient (and lazy). I don’t want to wait to write this amazing story for weeks while I sweat and bleed trying to figure out all the angles and plot twists. I’d rather write it now (even though I know it would be much more amazing if I worked it out beforehand).
All that being said – my mom sent me a blog post from Desiring God this morning called Lay Aside The Weight Of “Not Feeling Like It”. The Desiring God blog does not often disappoint, and it certainly didn’t today. I would encourage you to read that post; it's short, and well worth the read.
The gist of it is this; we like to take the easy path. We prefer the momentary pleasures that the world offers, rather than working toward the better reward that God promises us. Why exert effort when we don’t have to?
But this life is not about pleasure. It’s about living for Christ and expanding His kingdom, making disciples of all men. And it’s hard. I may write good blog posts, encouraging you to do all unto the glory of God, but I fail. So much of the time. Maybe I sound like I have it all together, but I don’t. I too am broken.
It’s hard to stand firm in sinking sand; in fact, it’s impossible. If you stay in the mire, you will drown. But Christ is our Rock and our Stronghold; through every storm, He will remain steadfast. Cling to Him, and He will hold you up.
I want to encourage you to not be lazy. Don’t put off doing something because you’re “not feeling like it”. Don’t not do something just because you’re too impatient to do it right. God never promised us that life would be easy – but He did promise us a reward that far surpasses all comprehension if we live according to His word. Don't miss out on that gift. Give Him your all.
After all, hard work never hurt nobody.
~Riah
“…God, in great mercy, is showing us everywhere, in things that are just shadows of heavenly realities, that there is a great reward for those who struggle through and persevere (Hebrews 10:32–35). He is reminding us almost everywhere to walk by faith in a promised future and not by the sight of immediate gratification (2 Corinthians 5:7).
“So today, don’t let “not feeling like it” reign as lord (Romans 6:12). Rather, through it see your Father pointing you to the reward he has planned for all who endure to the end (Matthew 24:13). Let it remind you that his call is not to indulgence but endurance.”
~Jon Bloom
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Determined not to be lazy (and because I miss my writing dearly), I have begun to outline a new story! I actually came up with the idea a couple of years ago, but am finally going to put it into action. I plan on spending the next couple of months writing a detailed outline, finishing just in time for NaNoWriMo.
I will hopefully post a synopsis for The Dream Tamer in a week or two. :)
Dear Riah, Many great women I know are "quick". My sister, your mother, and yes... you, to name a few. It seems to be part of our genetic mix. I, on the other hand am slow. Having to rush about makes me nervous. I am prompt and thorough, but like to ease my way into things when possible. I enjoy the moment, and like to experience all the senses involved in a task. I think its partly my Arkansas blood from the Simpson side. Like so many other parts of us, there are pluses and minuses that come with the territory. We live in an impatient world. We want instant access and results, but life is not like that. In fact in order to really listen to the spirit we must be still and quiet our racing thoughts. I applaud your recognition of impatience, and your commitment to hard work apart from "feeling like it". I can't wait to read The Dream Tamer someday. As to your remarkable ability to bring order out of chaos quickly, I see that as a great talent and gift. Now, take all that time you save and write more. I am always blessed when you do.
ReplyDeleteRiah, this is EXACTLY what I needed to get me off the computer and to the dishes. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteHaha, you're welcome!! <3
DeleteIt seems I can relate with this post, I hope I will live a life for the Glory of God, instead of one that focuses on what I do and don't feel like doing. Thanks for sharing once again, I always enjoy it!
ReplyDelete