Step Away

Have you ever been enjoying something, and even though you KNOW you have other responsibilities, or scheduled events, you don’t want to stop what you’re enjoying to tend to them? 

Me neither. I was asking ‘for a friend’. 

The other day I was with a friend, and we were having a great time. I purposely set an alarm for when I needed to leave for my next appointment, because I knew I would be tempted to stay longer than I should. And when the alarm went off, I ignored it. For several minutes longer than I should have. See, I’ve done this before (the staying-longer-than-I-should-because-I’m-enjoying-myself thing) and it is never a good idea. I am always stressed afterward, trying to get everyone corralled, running to the next thing. 

And I am not nice about it, either. 

So now they are cranky because I’m literally ripping them away from something they’re enjoying to get somewhere we HAVE to be. (Like a doctor’s appointment.) And we can’t find their left shoe. Or their jacket. And they didn’t get to even say goodbyeeeee for pity’s sake. And for some reason they now can only walk at a snail’s pace and with a broken spine that forces them to lean so far forward they might actually drag their forehead on the ground. 

My choice has caused them stress, and caused me to sin with my words and attitude. 

And maybe caused them to sin because now they are mad at me, angry that they had to leave so quickly, and they don’t want to obey. They sit in the van with arms crossed in front of their chests, scowls and seatbelts securely fastened. 

Were those few extra minutes of enjoyment worth all the stress and consequences now? 

Um, no. 

But in the moment it is so hard to tear myself away. It is hard to be responsible, and stifle my flesh, and do what I know needs to be done rather than continuing to enjoy a conversation. Or a tv show. Or food. Or fellowship.

Because now I am frustrated for the rest of the day. We’re late to the doctor. The kids are cranky. And I am angry at myself for not doing what I was supposed to when I was supposed to. 



When my husband gets home I outline how frustrating the day was, and may skip over the important info when I recount the events leading up to the frustration of the moment. (Or purposely skip over the catalyst.)



“We were late to the doctor because I couldn’t find Thing 1’s left shoe, or Thing 2’s jacket, and Thing 3 wouldn’t let go of her friend and get in the van. Then the kids were cranky the whole ride because I may have rushed them less than gently, and THEN they wouldn’t get OUT of the van at the doctor’s….”



Those things are a direct result of me not stepping away when I should have; of me not implementing self-control (which is part of the fruit of the Spirit by the way), and it affecting other people. 

Perhaps I’ve done this spiritually as well. I don’t do what I’ve been called to do, but I complain about the consequences of that choice- without disclosing my disobedience. 

It may garner me temporary sympathy from others, but it is misplaced. I need to be honest with myself, and before God. It does not serve me well to lie to myself. And it doesn’t really work anyway. That temporary comfort lasts only so long. Eventually, if I am a child of God, He will confront me with myself. 

And then I have to decide to deal with me. And change. 

I can’t make it right with Things 1, 2, and 3 if I refuse to admit I was wrong. And it is more than likely that sort of thing will happen again if I don’t recognize it, repent of it, and move forward in the truth. 

Being honest is powerful. It can be a turning point of victory in my life in any number of areas. If I can’t be honest, I can’t move forward, because I’ll just keep deceiving myself that I’m ‘okay’. That it’s not a big deal. 

But untruth is always a big deal. And so is lack of self-control. And it does affect other people, regardless of how small I think the issue is. Because the Bible tells me that when I lie, I hate the person I’m lying to. Even when that person is me. 

Lord help me to be honest, and practice self-control so I don’t hurt myself or those around me. 

Proverbs 26:27 “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”

Proverbs 25:28 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” 

Proverbs 12:17 “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.”