Proverbs 18:9“Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.”
(The Message) “Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.”
Which is harder:
...being a disciplined worker yourself, or
...teaching someone else to be a disciplined worker?
I’m not sure. Both can be difficult.
The first requires self-control, obviously, but the second does, too. And just as much. It takes a lot of discipline to train someone else to be disciplined. It takes discipline on my part to NOT empty the dishwasher but to round up somebody else to do it instead, then make myself check back to make sure they did it. And then follow up again, if necessary.
Being lazy in whatever we’re called to do—whether it’s in a paying job or in loving a friend or in training up a child—is akin to being destructive.
Didn’t Jesus say that not being “for him” is the same thing as being “against him?” Matthew 12:30
Our seemingly harmless passivity is not really passive after all. Or harmless. It’s active—in the opposite direction.
Helpful definitions in training children (and ourselves):
Obedience is doing what someone says, right away, without being reminded.
Honor is treating people as special, doing more than what's expected, and having a good attitude.
Perseverance is hanging in there even after you feel like quitting.
Attentiveness is showing people you love them by looking at them when they say their words.
Patience is waiting with a happy heart.
Self-discipline is putting off present rewards for future benefits.
Gratefulness is being thankful for the things I have instead of grumbling about the things I don't have.
1 comment:
OUCH. Lady, you are totally flint to me.
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