"I can't...": Big Lessons From My Little People #4

"I'm sorry, Mom.  I had so many things to do; like getting a drink," said my five year old little.

That's when it hit me... Do my reasons for not getting things done sound this trivial to my maker?

I asked my five year old to complete a task, gave oodles of time, and came back to nothing done.  Maybe you've also asked a child, or anyone, to do something important and had the same result.  When you come back to nothing done, the reason is,  "I had so many things to do..." "I didn't have time."  "I had to finish this other thing."  "I can't do it!"
 

Take the Time - photo can be found here https://flic.kr/p/6fQFSk

You know he had time!  You know he could have done it immediately!  You gave him triple the amount of time he needed, but he has been doing other things.

You know he is capable! Even if he struggled with it, you are right there to help him. You see he could have easily accomplished the task...and you know it would bring the results he wants in his life.

You are Capable! - photo can be found at https://flic.kr/p/oimaFS

Why didn't he do it?...It was not his first priority; not important right at the moment. There were other things he wanted to do, or other things that he perceived needed his attention first.  OR, he didn't believe he could do it.  It just seemed too big of a task, and he got discouraged before he even started...

Most parents see this behavior in their children...  What about seeing it in ourselves?  Do you sometimes have thoughts that repeat themselves, that come up again and again?  Little promptings, little nudges from the inside to do something or reach out to someone? 

What is it costing you to keep putting them off... in relationships, in money, in personal peace?

photo can be found here https://flic.kr/p/8Jt3vk

The natural consequences that come from putting things off can be painful and costly.  Just recently, I learned that my friend had died.  She was a beautiful woman with three young children.  She lived across the country from me, but had been on my mind the past month.  I had clear impressions to send her a note, to reach out to her.  I kept thinking, "I'm going to do that."....until it was too late.  I'll never know if reaching out to her would have made a difference, could have saved her life...because, she's already gone.

photo can be found here -  https://flic.kr/p/43MntB

I cannot turn back the clock or change the past.  I CAN start new today and choose to more diligently heed what I believe are the promptings of heaven.  No matter what you call them, they are the quiet invitations we receive within.  So softly experienced sometimes that they may be easy to ignore, and yet they bring such good results when we follow them.  I challenge you to go right now and do one of these invitations that you have received.  You'll be so glad you did.