I am a piddler. In default mode I run about ½ speed with little urgency, easily distracted by anything that crosses my line of vision. For years my deadline for weekly housekeeping chores was noon or Saturday evening, whichever met my fancy. The closer the time moved towards the deadline the more energized and faster I went. That’s how a piddler works or is it procrastinator?
You see, I grew up with a wonderful mother who was fun, gracious, merciful, loving, BUT she was Mrs. Clean. Every Saturday we pulled every piece of furniture out away from the wall, swept or vacumned, wiped down the baseboards, door & window frames and sills. We cleaned under the couch, vacumned each cushion, arm and even the back of upholstered furniture. Each wood piece of furniture was thoroughly dusted i.e. top, front, back & legs, as well as every item, trinket, memorabilia that was worthy of placement on the top.
Living with Mrs. Clean meant being comfortable with clean living spaces. It didn’t mean you knew how to organize, prioritize, systematize your life to make it happen on a regular basis. That’s how this one piddler became a huge procrastinator.
Now a procrastinator, according to Merriam Webster, is a person who delays or puts things off — like work, chores, or other actions — that should be done in a timely manner. Urban Dictionary’s top definition for procrastinator is one who will do anything, including spending an entire day looking up random words on urban dictionary, to get out of doing work.
Recently I heard a pastor say, “Procrastinate procrastination.” That sounds good, but it is easier said than done. That same preacher said, “The first step is to confess.” This blog is my confession.
“I am a procrastinator.” Now, I have taken the first step. But I don’t remember what the twelve steps were. To see how hard it is to change after sixty plus years of piddling and procrastination, please watch this video to see how difficult it is to transform those deep ruts in my mind that make it easier to piddle and procrastinate.
Backwards Brain Bicycle
When I was first asked to write a blog for the Temple’s website, I occasionally gave it some thought. Two or three subjects crossed my mind. But, I piddled; I didn’t even write the ideas down. Today, on my submission deadline, I sat down to type. Now it is 10:00 p.m., & I must send it to the webmaster before the clock strikes midnight. As I drew near to the time to submit this blog I just googled piddler to see if was actually a word. Sure enough, it was even mentioned in one man’s obituary. The Fine Art of Piddling – click here
Besi
des confessing my sin for the world to see on the internet, I also know there is help in the Word. Paul wrote in Romans 12:2a “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”. ESV
God can renew my mind i.e. make new ruts in my brain as I focus on Him and trust Him to help me make better use of my time. I will not give up as He makes all things new.