SFF: Better than nothing

I'm always waiting for the perfect time. The perfect time to start eating healthier, lose weight, start an exercise program, sort out my wardrobe...

Trouble is I never have enough time/energy/motivation at any one time - so it's never the perfect time. So I never even start.

You see, I feel like if life isn't in a routine enough to start an exercise program and actually keep it up consistently for a long period of time, then why bother starting yet. But when is life ever in a routine consistently?

Or if I'm trying to start eating more healthily or lose weight...well, I've got all those events and get togethers coming up where it will be too hard to manage what I'm eating, so I'll start after that...But when is there ever going to be a time where nothing is on?

Every time I look the state of the clothes in my wardrobe...or should I say out of my wardrobe, because the floor and the bed and the washing basket generally contain more clothes than the wardrobe does...I just think, it's too big a job. I don't have the time and energy to sort that mess out right now, so I'll do it later. But who, looking at a mess, ever feels like they have the energy for it?

So everything stays as it is. I stay not exercising, not eating right, same weight, same mess. Because it's not the perfect time yet. But when will it be?

Never, that's when.

Because rarely do big overhaul changes work. But there is a time when something is better than nothing.

Like I've got 5 minutes right now... If I get down and do some sit ups, well I may not do anymore for another week or two, but at least it's better than nothing. Or if eat an apple now instead of those chips...well I may eat a bowl of ice-cream later, but at least I got that nutrition which is better than nothing. Or if every time I go into my room I put away two or three things, then at least something got done, rather than nothing, even if it's still messy.

And you know what, things change. 5 sit-ups this week, turns into some calf raises while standing in the shower and some dancing while I sweep the floor next week. And gradually the healthy to unhealthy food ratio tips back the right way, even if for now it's just eating one handful of chips instead of two, and a smaller piece of cake. And eventually the wardrobe once again contains at least half the clothes.

Then I can see things changing...even I'm still not fit, still not super healthy, and still see mess.

Because sometimes that one thing is better than nothing. Whether it's health, weight, exercise, housework, parenting, work, prayer, reading the Bible....

Don't wait for the perfect time/enough motivation/the exact right devotional book that will just solve it all. Don't wait for perfection before you start. Or you never will.

Big changes happen through small actions.




Peace and joy. (Romans 5:1-11)

Jessie.


But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.