Excuses, Excuses, Excuses
What in the world could a Nativity and the OG herd of our tribe have to do with excuses? Well, let me tell ya' ~
According to Oxford Languages, excuses are defined as: a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense. In other words, excuses are shifting blame from ourselves - not being accountable for poor decisions.
Excuses seems like a harsh title for a blog; yet, sometimes in our Christian walk we need tough love found in truths!! There is a freedom in learning this hard lesson!
On August 23, 2024, I finally took down the last of our Christmas decorations, the Nativity, and put the seven kiddos senior pictures back on top the piano. I'm never in a hurry to take down the decorations, https://gracefilledjourney.com/christmas-365/; however, August is a bit excessive!
I don't have time to write anymore because I spend so much time taking care of the books for the farm.
I've been derailed from my health goals because we went on a trip and I wasn't able to stay on track. I'm tired!
I don't have time to visit with people because I have so much on my plate - farming, gardening, family, church, etc. etc. etc.
yadda yadda yadda
I don't know about you, but I cannot handle anymore of my "because"s!!!
It was August and my nativity was still on my piano. Why, because of the mile long excuses I've been making. The Nativity still being out isn't a crime; but the reason it's still up needs some serious attention and refining!
Excuse: I don't have time . . .
- Do I have time to be on my phone unproductively - YES!!
- Do I spend time on social media stalking individuals whom I think sins are worse than mine (being painfully honest here!) - YES, YES, and YES
- Do I burn the candles at both ends, not getting to bed, not getting up, and not being at my best - YES!
Excuse: I'm tired . . .
- Do I get to bed when I should - NO!
- Do I exercise and follow a healthy eating plan consistently - NO!
- Do I daily/hourly/minutely seek God's discernment about how HE wants me to spend my energy so I'm not wasting it on things that don't bring Him glory - NO, NO, and NO!!!!
Legitimate reasons keep us from accomplishing tasks that need to be done. No one can decide when an illness is going to occur, when someone will stop by your home, when unexpected situations pop up.
The problem comes when those reasons become crutches for poor time management, laziness, unwise decisions that ultimately lead to not fulfilling the purposes God has for our lives!
So now what, continue to live each day in excuse after excuse ~
These precious words breathe hope into our hearts. We don't have to stay stuck in our bad habits. Friends, we can take them before the throne of God and He will SHOW us, He will TEACH us, He will GUIDE us. Why?
BECAUSE God is our Savior, our Rescuer, our Deliverer
Jehovah God, may our excuses no longer be our "because", but may we instead live out the purposes You have called us to BECAUSE You are our hope all day long!
Enjoyed your post today ! Hope our visits don’t add to your excuses for not getting things done. I always remember a verse that was on a calendar my mother gave me that said…..never be so busy doing that you can’t enjoy being. All those other things will still be there tomorrow. So when someone or something takes you off track it’s OK. Love you and have a great day !
Impromptu visits are good ~ wise words!