It's Gonna Cost You!

Emma, our oldest daughter, is nine and a half. Yes....still young enough to be counting the half years. When does that cease to be important? Somewhere around twenty-one I think. You may see an emergence around twenty-nine...with plenty of us saying we're twenty-nine and a half (plus a decade or two—wink, wink).

So Emma's a pretty involved child. She enjoys a good challenge, mental stimulation, creative works you might say. Not necessarily the "sports" girl. And I'm so thankful for exactly who she is. We have been thrilled with her interest in music. She recently asked to begin piano lessons and we agreed, given that my sister-in-law teaches out of her home. No....we didn't get a discount! It's full price, but still, an easier solution than going across town. In addition to piano, Emma dances w/ the ballet company at her school, sings in a local children's choir at our alma mater, and is currently involved with a girls indepth Bible Study at our church. Add to all of this her social calendar, school work, and love of reading....she can get a little "scatter brained" at times.

Over the Christmas break, she took a HUGE break from piano. I didn't say much about it. Afterall, I don't want her to do things in life "for me". We talked about getting back in the swing of things and began weekly sessions about two weeks ago. She's admittedly not following through and I've discussed this with her on a number of occassions. Classes are on Tuesday afternoons, and tonight she looks at me and says, "I haven't practiced piano at all this week". My response. "That's gonna cost you." She asked me what I meant and I explained that in life........when you commit to do something, you should plan to follow through. Teachers of extra-curricular activities expect you are interested in what they are doing. They count on you for their income and their time is preplanned to fit your needs. So...the life lesson for today is this....."Don't commit to something you aren't willing to pay for. That is with your time, your efforts, your interest, in addition to your money!"

Don't waste your valuable life space, just to fill it to the brim of activity. And teach your kids that follow through is important. Our agreement with Emma is this: If she goes another week without practicing her piano, she will have to pay for that week's session. Yep! It's going to be her $15, not mine. If she's practicing and doing what is required, then we're happy to pay for her. If she doesn't....it's gonna cost her!

Everything in life comes with a cost. If you don't follow through, what does that say to others? How does your behavior match or mirror your belief system? Are they congruent? This can apply to many, many situations. But most importantly, it applies to things we say "YES" to, and have absolutely no idea how we're going to make it happen. For me, I don't say "YES" all that often. I say "YES" when "NO" is not an option. That's when God says to me, "Laura, this is for you." You have to be careful not to say "NO" out of your own desire to be lazy. But rather, learning to stay close enough to the Father to know His will for you concerning your life activities. So....if you've asked me to do something, and I said No. Don't take it personal. I only commit to the things I have a clear directive on, and a clear understanding of how it affects those I love most. We really can live a life of service....to busyness. And blame God for our tired, worn out lives. He's saying, "my yoke is easy and my burden light". Listen to Him. And the direction He is calling you.

If life is too busy, too hurried, and too tiresome to breathe.....there's probably something you've picked up and called your own, that was never intended to be "yours". Lay it down. Be willing to admit when you're wrong. And always know that God designed us for seasons of intense work, and peaceful rest. We tend to leave that latter part out. Write this one down...."Your closest relationships (those within your own household) are the ones you have the greatest potential to influence." The ones in your home, are your "captive audience". Long after the adults in your class disappear, friends move away, and ball teams lose for 3 straight seasons, the audience you are left are the ones you actually "live" in front of. Transparency may not be desired, but it's a genetic offering!

Live life to the fullest...and make it count!

Blessings!