Just Do It, Mama

Seize the moment.

“Get ‘er done.”

Carpe diem.

Yada, yada…  There are times in my motherly world where such phrases pass in one ear and out the other.  How much I wish they would stay put in my feeble brain, ruminate, marinate and cause action on the other side.  They often don’t, but I’m trying to change that.

Dishes left in the sink at night?  Just do it.

Laundry in a pile in the hallway?  Get ‘er done.

Laziness breeds disorganization.  Hard work, on the other hand, brings order, peace, and goodness to my family.  Take for example my evening last night.  Hubby works late and prego mama is on her last legs putting the kids to bed.  All goes relatively smoothly and mom walks out of the last room by 8:15pm.  Her bed beckons–unbrushed teeth, day clothes on, household tasks unattended…  The unfinished nature of such an end to a day threatens to turn the next day into a crazy morning sprint of catch-up.

She resists.  Just do it, mama.  Bed will come; keep earning it.  She brushes her teeth and dresses in jammies to ensure it really will happen and when it does, she can just fall into place.  She heads downstairs.  The kitchen sink is overwhelming.  Get ‘er done.  She knows that if she leaves this until morning, chaos will ensue.  It’s not worth it.  Seize the moment.  Clean dishes out, dirty dishes in.  It’s not perfect, but it’s done.  Counters are dirty but can wait until morning.  2 stray pots are left for hand-washing in the morning. There are no points for perfection right now.  It’s just about completing the general task.

Then its around the house to collect the trash (a task started earlier in the day).  It is complete and the trash bin is wheeled to the curb by a mere 8:30pm.  Not too shabby.  This carpe diem effort will produce much fruit–in that when the garbage truck rolls around the curb at 6:15am (and the mama can dreamily hear it from her bed), she can peacefully roll over knowing she’s done her task.

Lights off, dog out and in, bed.  Alleluia.

Thank you, Jesus.

She’s done it.  Carpe diem, mama.

She’s seized the day and blessed her family and home.

And in the morning?

Oh, so worth it!

What task are you avoiding today?  Just do it.  Get ‘er done.  Seize the moment.  Carpe diem.  You’ll be glad you did.  And then you’ll wonder why it took so long for you to get it done in the first place.  Good luck and God bless.