You Can Run...Well Maybe Not.

A lot of you know...The Pastor has been on crutches.  Chalk it up to a bone problem related to his Diabetes.  I won't get into the gory details, but let's just say that the crutches have been difficult for everyone involved, if you get my drift.

I don't blame The Pastor for getting weary of the crutches, and for the most part, he's been a good patient, "crutching" around as he should.  However, a couple weeks ago, we went out to lunch and tired of lugging them around with him, he left the crutches in the car, though he should have been using them.

He hobbled into the sparsely populated restaurant and before he could make his way to a table to sit down, he ran smack dab into...his foot doctor.  Oops.  The perils of living in a small town.

I've learned the hard way, there are some things you just can't run from.  (Especially when you're on crutches, but that's not my point.)  God tells me he shuts doors no man can open and opens doors no man can shut (Rev 3:8).  Simply put, if God wants to do something, he will do it, and no amount of whining, complaining, or running away on my part will change that. God will accomplish his purpose. 

Lately God is calling me to some tough decisions.  I don't particularly want to make them.  My inclination is to run and hide until the whole situation miraculously works itself out without any effort from me.  But, I'm getting the distinct feeling that's not going to work.  I need to come face to face with the fact that God wants something of me. And if he wants it, one way or another, he will get it.  In the far corners of my heart and mind, I can hear him whispering, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way..."

The doctor has finally told The Pastor he can put down the crutches... and I think maybe it's time I take off my running shoes.

First....

...Trip to Washington DC.

...Pair of shoes bought at DSW

...Watermelon Sorbet and Cake Batter ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery

...Visit to Georgetown Cupcake (DC Cupcakes)

















...Chic Fil A spicy chicken sandwich and chocolate shake

...11 hour wait time in an airport.

...American Management Association training seminar in DC.

...Trip to American History Museum

...Time I stepped out of my box and invited the instructor to dinner.  (Excellent Thai Food!)

...Stroll around Georgetown University

...Realization that American Airlines has cross-dressing flight attendants.

...Ride on the Metro Train

...Steak burrito from Chipotle.

....Self Portrait with my bro at the Washington Monument

...Hands on experience with the Retina Display MacBook Pro at an Apple store in the Pentagon City Mall.  (HUGE!)

 ...Photo of the WWII Monument at night

...View of the White House

Blessed to have a great training class and trip,

Desperate For Therapy

Why is it so often that the things we want to do the most are the things we procrastinate the worst?  I was lamenting to my friend today over lunch that I've been remiss at losing a few pounds that have found their way to my mid-section.  Even though I have small amounts of success eating healthy foods, I know the one thing that needs to be done to get rid of the problem is exercise.  I want to do it.  I think about doing it.  I plan to do it, but I never actually do it.

The same has been true of my writing life. I want to do it.  I think about doing it.  I desperately need the self therapy of doing it, but I won't put my butt in the chair, pull out the laptop and do it.  I'm confused and exasperated by my own actions.  I ask myself the same question over and over--why??

Why don't I exercise, why don't I write more, why don't I study my Bible more or get started on that redesign of my blog I've been mulling over? It's not a lack of motivation--I truly want to do them. At first glance the answer is easy.  I'm too busy.  Isn't that the reason we all have for not doing the things we have good intention of accomplishing?  But if I look closer, and with honesty, I know that's not really it. 

I believe my procrastination boils down to a much larger problem than busyness.  Deep at the root of the problem is not time, but perfectionism.  Perfectionism is an illusion to be chased and when it can't be caught, we give up, or worse yet, we never bother to try in the first place. 

Don't let perfectionism steal your opportunity to try.  Don't let it rob you of the therapy of doing something you love even if you don't get it exactly right.  We are imperfect beings and that won't change until the day we see Christ face to face.  Don't let that discourage you from the here and now and from doing everything to the Glory of God.

Nike was right...just do it!