Why justify procrastination, and wait until tomorrow?
Because I don’t want to do it today. That’s why.
How many times do we put off doing the hard things because it’s just too overwhelming to even think about doing it right now? Sometimes, just the idea of putting my walking shoes on to get outside and exercise is too much. Even the things that I enjoy doing, like gardening, sometimes feel like too much to add to my daily list of to-dos.
That’s the reason my tomato plant grown from seed on my kitchen window sill has been hanging out on the back patio, for a couple weeks now, waiting ever so patiently to get transplanted into the garden. But you know what?
Today is the day. No more procrastination!
That’s what I told myself the other morning before I got out of bed. As tired as I was from not sleeping a full night, and as busy I’ve been with work and launch week preparations, I knew that if I waited another day… persuaded again by my excuses and justifications… my poor tomato baby would wither away and not have a chance to thrive. And then my human baby wouldn’t have the garden snacks that he loves so much. It needed to be done, so I did it! I’m proud to say that I now have two of my veggie garden beds filled and doing their thing.
My garden isn’t producing to its potential, because I still haven’t gotten around to amending a couple of my beds. However, my delayed progress in the garden hasn’t kept me from taking baby steps toward my garden goals. We’ve still enjoyed lettuce, carrots and tomatoes from our yard.
And that’s something.
As a dear friend likes to say, “Baby steps are still steps in the right direction.” So keep moving forward toward your goals… even when it’s hard! Of course we want to do the fun things, instead of the hard thing. But I can tell you from experience – the fun things are so much more enjoyable when you’ve put in the hard work. I want the harvest, so I have to do the sowing.
As long as I can remember, I’ve been someone prone to procrastination. And as I’ve examined that tendency, I’ve concluded that the root of that issue is an idol of convenience and comfort. I don’t like doing the inconvenient or uncomfortable things, no matter how good for me they are. So I put them off a little longer until I’m charged by that adrenaline rush pushing me to get it done before it’s too late!
But that is no way to live a sustainable, peaceful life.
My daily contentment is so much better when I respond to those good-for-me necessities out of a heart of obedience to God, because I know He has the best for me. And sometimes the thing that’s good for me means uncomfortable and inconvenient.
It’s like my kids with chores. The toilet cleaning and dishwasher loading is not fun in their eyes… or mine, for that matter! However, they’re learning how to take care of our home with consistency and dedication, which are the qualities that will produce the peace.
Little by little I can do the hard things when I know the diligence will lead to a restful spirit.
It’s like the saying goes.
“Slow and steady wins the race.” [But don’t forget to give yourself grace!]
The Tortoise and the Hare, [Stacia Lowe]
The daily grind and hustle will only lead to exhaustion and defeat. It’s the gradual, consistent effort that produces the peace worth creating those healthy habits in the first place.
Recently we got to attend Fishfest to hear some incredibly talented musicians, and it was definitely a highlight! The singing and dancing was so fun and the worship was amazing. It makes me so happy to see the success of performers who love the Lord. (And you know they’ve worked hard to accomplish their dreams!)
If it’s all right with you, I want to give you a little behind-the-scenes look at what’s been happening in the Lowe home recently. It’s been one year since my husband lost his traditional job. I’ll be the first to say the unemployment road is rough! I’ve been there myself in the past, and what I’ve learned from both seasons is that it doesn’t have to be scary.
Difficult, yes…tedious even, but NOT SCARY.
When Adam started getting suspicious that changes were coming at work, we both were able to wrap our heads around the idea of not having that income anymore. Thankfully, management was last to be laid off, right before the California office closed. We had time to prepare.
So when that infamous day arrived, I hopped on the computer and started rearranging the budget. You see, I created an Excel spreadsheet probably 20 years ago to keep track of my income and expenses… because I’m an accountant. And let’s face it… I love Excel spreadsheets! (Nerd alert!😄🤓) Recently, someone mentioned how much they hate working with spreadsheets, and that’s when it clicked.
LET ME DO THE HARD PART FOR YOU!
Believe it or not, I really enjoy keeping a budget. It’s actually fun for me! But that is NOT the consensus for the majority of moms in this season of parenting. I get it. So I decided to start developing easy-to-use budgeting schedules based off my own budget that I’ve been using for years… okay, decades! (That makes me feel old! 😂)
Knowing what to expect when it comes to your finances, even when there is uncertainty about the source of your income (hello, unemployment) is when the relief comes into play. I like to say that a prepared mind is a peaceful mind… especially where our money is concerned… and budgeting is the way to remain prepared.
I know, I know…
“But it’s budgeting…GROSS!” 🤣
So how do you get started when the task seems so daunting or overwhelming?
You let me help you! My LOWE BUDGET digital downloads are here! So why wait one more day?! Start with my eBook, “Stop Staying Stuck: Taking That First Step Into Financial Peace of Mind“. No more procrastination! Do the hard-but-good thing today.
I am glad to help relieve that burden of budgeting, if it means you get to spend more time with your family, confident that your finances are under control and you’re contributing to your financial goals!
For more encouragement and mom support like this, please consider subscribing to my monthly newsletter. You’ll also receive my Story of the Month youth fiction series to read for free, plus access to my Free Download Library and a 10% Priority Reader Discount on your first order!
