Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 #33

Stop to go Forward?

I had everything planned. I have been dealing with a lot lately, a nagging issue of uncontrollable itch on both biceps that cannot be explained among other things. It has meant some sleepless nights and that has led to some unproductive days. So last night I had this day planned. I made a To Do List.

1) Quiet time of devotion from 8:30-9:00
2) Blog from 9:00-9:30
3) Answer both of Mom's letters
4) Answer Dad's letter
5) Answer Jean's letter
6) Hunt down some typing paper and envelopes
7) Rinse out some clothes just in case it is Tide making me itch
8) Scrub the cell
9) Work out in Dayroom

A) 200 Push-ups
B) 80 Squats
C) 60 Lunges
D) 3X50 3 count Cherry Pickers or Burbies
E) Some Standing Side Crunches

10) Begin work on outline for Hospice Ministry using Dad's suggestions
11) Possible letters for Tom, Charlie and Chris
12) 1 Hour minimum of Intermediate Algebra
13) 1 Phone call while waiting for shower to open up.

See, I had everything planned. Then shortly before beginning devotions I made a mess. Now this was a mess that required cleaning NOW.

I did not want to stop, I wanted to go forward with my plans. The problem I faced was that if I wished to operate in an environment that was not messing then I had to stop to go forward. As I was cleaning it came to me that I was going forward with my plans because my plans include not leaving a mess in my wake, as I have done all too often in life.

What I began to see and what I believe that the very Spirit of God was showing me was that I should ALWAYS clean up any mess I may have made, or become aware of, before proceeding with the day's agenda. That mess may be a spilled drink or it may be a person's feelings I have hurt or a blatant act of rebellion against the norms that should always govern my behavior.

Now that the mess is cleaned up, I feel as though I can proceed to Giter Done! In learning this lesson I hope that in the future I will not look at cleaning up a mess as stopping so much as moving forward. After all, isn't that the plan anyway? :)

Stay strong and take the time to clean up the messes, you, like me, may just find that you end up enjoying it. Hope. Faith. Love. Sobriety. Healing. Helping. Praising. Thanking. May they all be yours in ever increasing measure. Amen.

russ