Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Oswald, Impertinence and Making Plans
Oswald had this to say this morning: "What an impertinence worry is." Impertinence? I'd prefer he'd described it a bit differently, say - "a waste of time" or maybe "silly". Impertinence sounds like he's describing a snotty, sassy teenager. Maybe he was. Maybe he was just describing me now and then. (Here I was thinking these early morning devotions would be a boost?)
Good ole Websters put it this way: "insolence, impudence, not showing proper respect or manners, saucy, inappropriate." Ugh. It's been decades since I was a sassy teenager. Apparently I still show some traits now and then. Winter is NOT a favorite season for me. I complain about it profusely. I tend to fret over icy roads, getting up and down our driveway and the hill leading into and out of our neighborhood. It's grey, grey here for weeks on end, and there's nothing quite so charming as shoveling out a few icy spots in our backyard for our dog to 'visit'. Worrying is just easier for me January - early March. Easier as in suits my sinful nature, easier as in what tends to be my natural response.
Apparently it's actually just insolent, impudent, saucy, inappropriate. Maybe that's because Philippians 4:6 already told me: "Do NOT be anxious (worried) about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
So there's something I can do besides worry myself silly, fret needlessly. I can tell God, put it on His shoulders, at His feet. I'll know I actually did a good job of leaving it there, rather than grabbing it back and running away with it again, when I have a peace that transcends anything this world can understand. (Hmmm.... possibly a witness?) And it'll guard my heart and mind. Can't you just hear the 'lecture to a sassy teenager' tone here. The 'Because I said so' of a parent smarter than the 13 year old rolling her eyes as she flips her hair and smacks her gum....
Okay, so maybe that's the boost I was hoping for when I planned getting out of bed a bit early. A 'Plan B' for living my life these next few months. In that light, and in keeping with my 2007 Faithful, Determined Purpose, I've set out 11 projects in the areas of physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual resolutions.
Resolutions are great, but until they're actually broken down, and put on my calendar they stand little chance of happening. This should take me to March 21,the beginning of Spring. (We leave on our cruise March 24.) I figure one project a week should keep me too busy to do a lot of impertinent, snotty, insolent, sassy worrying'. Much better use of my time!
Good ole Websters put it this way: "insolence, impudence, not showing proper respect or manners, saucy, inappropriate." Ugh. It's been decades since I was a sassy teenager. Apparently I still show some traits now and then. Winter is NOT a favorite season for me. I complain about it profusely. I tend to fret over icy roads, getting up and down our driveway and the hill leading into and out of our neighborhood. It's grey, grey here for weeks on end, and there's nothing quite so charming as shoveling out a few icy spots in our backyard for our dog to 'visit'. Worrying is just easier for me January - early March. Easier as in suits my sinful nature, easier as in what tends to be my natural response.
Apparently it's actually just insolent, impudent, saucy, inappropriate. Maybe that's because Philippians 4:6 already told me: "Do NOT be anxious (worried) about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
So there's something I can do besides worry myself silly, fret needlessly. I can tell God, put it on His shoulders, at His feet. I'll know I actually did a good job of leaving it there, rather than grabbing it back and running away with it again, when I have a peace that transcends anything this world can understand. (Hmmm.... possibly a witness?) And it'll guard my heart and mind. Can't you just hear the 'lecture to a sassy teenager' tone here. The 'Because I said so' of a parent smarter than the 13 year old rolling her eyes as she flips her hair and smacks her gum....
Okay, so maybe that's the boost I was hoping for when I planned getting out of bed a bit early. A 'Plan B' for living my life these next few months. In that light, and in keeping with my 2007 Faithful, Determined Purpose, I've set out 11 projects in the areas of physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual resolutions.
#1 Sort, toss and put away holiday decorations.
#2 Finish dressing up guest rooms (visitors coming 3rd week of January).
#3 Clean all 22 windows in and out (let in as much light as possible).
#4 Pull tax information for accountant; clean out files in office.
#5 Take time for at least 3 get-togethers with girlfriends - coffee, lunch or sewing.
#6 Read 2 fiction and 2 non-fiction, working at my 12 and 12 goal for year.
#7 Work out at Strive123, whittling away 5 of those 10 lbs that are not attractive.
#8 Take a one-day retreat, away from house, to spend with God.
#9 Work on stitchery I've been pecking away at for a good 7 years (yes, seriously).
#10 Clean out bookshelves in office so they don't look like they're spewing books.
#11 Repaint master bedroom and bathroom.
Resolutions are great, but until they're actually broken down, and put on my calendar they stand little chance of happening. This should take me to March 21,the beginning of Spring. (We leave on our cruise March 24.) I figure one project a week should keep me too busy to do a lot of impertinent, snotty, insolent, sassy worrying'. Much better use of my time!
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