Lessons in Procrastination

A boy is barely moving through my house this morning. Yes, it's early. Yes, it's the day after an extended snow break.Procrastination is a sneaky adversary, building us up for a huge fall. His weapon? A big, fat, lie. You know it, but my sweet son is not experienced in this battle. He believed it and is paying the price this morning."You can do it later." He had a big project to do and a packet of homework, all due today. I gently reminded him several times, but Mr. Procrastination had him under a spell. He was convinced that he could get it all done later. For a boy that needs a good night's rest to be happy, going to bed three hours after bedtime has him grumping his way through the morning, close to tears. We have all been there. We've believed the lie of later. Like the story of the grasshopper and the ant, we are often like the grasshopper believing winter is a long way off. We will work later. We can mend relationships later. We can start getting healthy later. Sorry, but Mr. Procrastination gets the last laugh.The tired son came to my classroom at lunchtime today. Tears. He realized his grade on the last minute project would not be stellar. I encouraged and spoke of hard lessons to him, hoping he got it this time around. If he is like his mother, it won't be the last time trying to cheat deadlines.You know what I procrastinate? Anything that I am unsure or insecure about. I push the things that scare me away, thinking they will magically become easier later. Now that I am totally aware of this issue, I am trying to do the dreaded thing first. (usually involves paperwork or technology) Then it's downhill from there.God's word is full of wisdom about doing things today and not later.But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may become hardened by sin's deceitfulness.  Hebrews 3:13In your anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry... Ephesians 4:26Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...Ephesians 5:15Jesus invites us to come to him and rest in the strength that he has as we are living this life yoked to him, serving along side him. His grace is deeper than we imagine. We rest in it, but it's not a bed to sleep in. The yoke that Jesus spoke of connected two oxen together so that they may pull a heavy load. He was saying, that with him it's not a burden because he is partnered with us. I want to be sure you don't hear me saying to work, work, work for Jesus. At the same time he is working around us and asks us to join him. As we learn to abide in him, listening to the Holy Spirit in us, we will know when he is asking us to serve today and when he is calling us to rest in him until later.If you're like me, life is always unfinished. There is always one more load of laundry, one more dirty toilet, one more good thing that needs to be done. We could seriously work ourselves into an early grave. We have to listen to Jesus as he tells us to rest and as he calls us to work. He does both. What things in your life need to be done today. Maybe a choice to forgive. Perhaps a relationship that needs your attention. Ask the Lord for his guidance, and listen. For me, the dirty shower curtain liners can wait until tomorrow. Some with my daughter cannot. My laundry will be there tomorrow, but I need a walk today.