28 Jan Hard Work
“Work, work, work, work, work, work
You see me I be work, work, work, work, work, work”
-Rihanna
Sometimes I like the idea of things more than I actually like them. Sometimes I even hear myself telling people I love things I really don’t. Sorry.
Take camping for instance. I love the thought of us sleeping in a tent, enjoying the cool mountain air, cooking outside, “roughing it.” What better chance to unplug, relax, and be with your family. But then we get ready to go. And I realize I don’t really love camping. It’s a lot of work.
Another one is running. I want to be a runner. I like talking the talk with all the runners. I love running clothes and shoes. But then I start running. And I feel like I can’t breathe, and my knees hurt, and I feel like I’m going to pass out. It’s a lot of work.
What about painting? I love the thought of painting. I love to decorate and make cute things. I want the bathroom gray, or the girls’ rooms pink. I want to change all my frames to turquoise. I love the final product. But then I start painting and realize I don’t really love it. I get paint in my hair and everywhere else. Usually Sean steps in and finishes it. He’s way better. It’s a lot of work.
There are many more things…planning a party, parenting, gardening (I just pulled a year’s worth of weeds out of my garden), keeping my house clean…you get the picture.
I love the final result…but it takes work. A LOT of work.
It’s like that in my relationship with God.
I want to read the Bible every day; I don’t want to be prideful; I don’t want to yell at my kids; I don’t want to gossip; I want to share my faith with everyone I meet. I want to reflect Christ in everything that I say and do. I really like that me; but sometimes I don’t want to do the work to make it happen. I get too busy doing things that come easy. At the time it seems like a good idea, but the results are not that good.
I want people to perceive me the way I want to be rather than the way I am. Anybody with me? I want people to think I’m pretty great and have it all together. But I don’t. I guess I better get to work.
Jackie Goucher
Posted at 21:50h, 28 JanuaryShelly, I am so there with you & I to need to get to work!!
Shelley Smith
Posted at 17:49h, 07 FebruaryDon’t we all! Thank you for reading!
Jackie
Posted at 23:14h, 28 JanuaryGreat post. I think this journey called “life” is a lot of work. Every day!! Thankful for God, my husband and family, amazing women/friends in my life, books, bloggers (like you) , etc. that help to navigate this journey and help to carry and share that work load. Ultimately it falls on me to invest the work , but as we get older I believe we begin to accept the “me” (flaws and all) and just keep going because today is the gift God gave me that yesterday He helped me work towards. So I will work again to get to tomorrow. I’ll stumble and fall, smile and cry. Be real (ugly at times), but I’ll choose to keep going and work cuz alternative ican be misery…. and I’m too old to focus on that!
Shelley Smith
Posted at 17:46h, 07 FebruaryI just saw this! I totally agree! Isn’t life such a balance? Sometimes I think that work is a curse, but without it we can lose the purpose God created us for. Love you! I think you’re pretty amazing!
Teresa
Posted at 03:46h, 29 JanuaryYES to all the things!! Parenting?!! Such a great analogy, thanks Shell, love you!!
Shelley Smith
Posted at 17:47h, 07 FebruaryParenting is SO MUCH WORK! I love you and miss you!