There is nothing that irritates me more than shaving my legs for no reason. The mere fact that I have shaved indicates that I have some expectation of a benefit from all the effort that goes into this particular feminine chore. Seriously, don’t let me happen to shave and then we have some sort of unseasonable cold front to move in and I ended up wearing pants for the whole “prickle free” period! What?! I didn’t even get credit. No one had a chance to see!
I mean, I don’t mind shaving if I am going on vacation to the beach and everyone will notice if I don’t, or I attend a wedding where (Lord, forbid) I am forced to wear a skirt, or even if I have to wear Capri pants to go grocery shopping, because all of my jeans are in the laundry. (Okay, actually in that last instance, I would probably still only shave the part of my legs that someone may see. So I’m not sure if that one really even counts.) But to just spend the effort of actually bending all the way over to remove hair from the entire lower half of my body, when no one will likely see it? Well, I just can not promote that sort of madness.
I know several women who are, in my opinion, addicted to shaving. If there is the slightest stubble, out comes the razor and they are smooth as silk in less than ten minutes. And just between you and me, I have a cousin who, I swear, keeps her razor in a holster on her side! Seriously, who has that kind of expectation in life? What could you possibly be preparing for besides going into labor and having your clean shaven legs photographed beautifully in a set of stirrups? I see absolutely no need to do this sort of time consuming, female ritual more than once every seven to ten business days. Unless of course it is winter, in which case you can take all the time you need until spring.
I am sure that all of this speaks volumes about me. And since we are sharing, you should probably know that I have actually pondered the above train of thought long enough that I now relate it to many things in my life. Of course, they are all annoying things, but so is having to shave. Whether standing in between two arguing teenage sons, or being the only woman to show up at a potluck dinner with a bag of Oreos, or watching a movie with my husband only to hear him start snoring halfway through the opening credits. . .well, each one of these moments beg me to take a deep breath and look toward heaven while asking, “Lord, did I really shave my legs for this?”
There is something very effective about asking that question aloud that enables me to take a small, mental break and then regroup with a determination to not sweat the little things - oh, and to not punch things. Definitely, do not punch things.
Actually, this question will often remind me to be grateful that I have any of those things to deal with at all. Dealing with them means that I am above ground, and I must admit, that is a plus! Life is short. Too short to worry or fret over stuff that just simply does not matter in the big scheme of things. I have learned that enjoying a moment is a choice. Not allowing a less-than-stellar moment effect you is also a choice. So the next time that you find yourself debating whether or not to egg your neighbor’s car in the middle of the night because they continuously allow their dogs to romp all over your lawn, just remember, you have a choice to control your emotions. Well, that and the fact that running around, throwing anything sounds like doing cardio. Oh yeah, and also, the price of eggs has really gone up this year. So, anyway, all I’m saying is, just choose wisely. Day 1 Yesterday, I may or may not have restarted the dryer in order to avoid folding the laundry. . .twice! Procrastination
Proverbs 13:4 (NIV) - A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
Occasionally, I fall into the trap of procrastination. It is something that I battled for many years and now have to be vigilant about when I feel it creeping back up. I have noticed that it first begins with the small things, like not folding a load of laundry, not opening the day’s mail, or even waiting to schedule a hair appointment. Before you know it, you are secretly sitting through a parent teacher conference in your husband’s underwear because you have no idea where a clean pair of your own would be, your water is disconnected while you’re bathing the dog because you did not pay the bill, and you still have to give this week’s office presentation looking like Julia Childs instead of Julia Roberts because your hairdresser is all booked up!
God wants us to be diligent in our pursuit of all things. Diligent means having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties. I know that when I allow procrastination to steal my “care” it ends up stealing with it my order, my time and ultimately my peace. You can’t even give it an inch. It will absolutely take miles from you!
Today, decide to be diligent about your responsibilities. Set your mind now that nothing will allow you to put off until tomorrow what can be accomplished (and blessed) today. Having said that, I think that I may have some laundry to fold!
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