lazy

okay, believe it or not, growing up, one thing dad always used to be on my case about was how lazy i was. i used to be pretty defensive about this critique of his, but recently i'm understanding a little bit more of what he observed about me. he's actually not far off at all in his judgement.

sure, i'd argue i like to stay "busy" ...whatever that means. but while busy, it's also possible to be lazy. especially when it comes to the things that are not a priority of mine. or the small tasks that would only take 2 seconds to do if only i would do it. the best examples i was chronically delinquent in: leaving the cup (or other kitchen utensils) i just drank water out of in the sink, not hanging up my coat in the right place when i got home, not untying my shoes to take them off and put them on, and not vacuuming my room on chore day.

looking back now, i get what he's talking about. i grew up in a household of 4 brothers, and the toilet seat was constantly up. a task that took 2 seconds to do, they were always "too lazy" to just take the time to do.

something i realized tonight as i was cleaning and picking up behind myself around the apartment: all the little tasks that i put off only took a couple hours to restore the apartment back to its immaculate condition. my excuse of why i always put off those petty small tasks is a result of my being lazy: i don't want to go out of my way to be bothered to just take care of those small things in the moment. i didn't feel like doing it. classically lazy.

made me think: is this how i treat God sometimes too? am i just too lazy to stop and pray for a couple minutes? too lazy to open my bible to do my BRP? too lazy to be interrupted or bothered to go out of my way and do something God is asking me to do?

A recent WSJ article says: "Change your language. Instead of saying "I don't have time" try saying "it's not a priority." and see how that feels. Often, that's a perfectly adequate explanation. I have time to iron my sheets, I just don't want to. But other things are harder. Try it. "I'm not going to edit your resume, sweetie, because it's not a priority." "I don't go to the doctor because my health is not a priority." If those phrases don't sit well, that's the point. Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice. If we don't like how we're spending an hour, we can choose differently."

i sure hope my relationship with God is a priority.