Distractions and Messy Processes

I find it hard to stick with something I’ve started. I much prefer living out of what I feel inspired to do rather than stuffing my actions into a routine that requires discipline.

When I started this blog, I expected my feelings and discipline to eventually collide. They already have.

But I am determined that I will finish what I started, even if it looms far ahead of me. Because life isn’t really about catering to your feelings anyway.

I just returned from an intense nearly-three-year term of service at Faith Mission Home. It was better than I ever dreamt any experience in my life would be. But honestly, it was more exhausting than I ever knew anything could possibly be.

So I threw myself into it and did my best. Receiving strength from the Lord became a daily routine instead of something I turned to only when times happened to be tough.

I came home very tired. There was grace enough, I can testify. But I had days towards the end when it was only His Grace keeping me going. Physically, I was worn out.

So I received strict orders from my parents upon returning home that I must embrace a season of rest and not allow myself to dive headfirst into my next big idea. It’s wonderful advice and I am taking it seriously. But Dad has had to remind me on occasion that “It’s all in the timing.” He seems to be serious about this, which is a life saver for me.

So my poor Dreams are riding in the trunk right now while Rest is taking the wheel. Piled on the back seat is a whole stash of Waiting Patiently.

My mom was sure I should drink Singing Canary. I know I know, it sounds weird and suspicious—I him-hawed around at the idea.

She made me read the Description. It claimed to boost adrenal glands and help fatigue. It also sounded like the perfect thing for tired muscles and I knew it was worth a try.
I was tired of feeling tired and running out of energy halfway through an easy laid back day.

I had a recent experience with meeting the floor was less than desirableable and I knew it was a warning sign.
So I decided to do my part and drink this concoction of lemons and power-enhancing spices.

Now, let’s be clear. The kitchen is not my handiest skill. On my list of hobbies, it is not at the top. However, when I set my mind to it, I can.
It just doesn’t always go well.

I had plans of being with crowds of people for an entire weekend. It was the first I had ventured out of my tiny New York crowd of people since returning from Virginia. I was excited but not sure how ready my tired brain was for that much stimulation.

I decided I would continue my Singing Canary all weekend long so as to do my part in staying sane around the crowds.

Problem is, mom wasn’t home. So I was on my own.

I very confidently tackled the project, sure that I knew what I was doing by now.

It was a royal disaster. And listen, not because I wasn’t capable, but only because I got distracted. Okay? It‘s justifiable—I want to believe.

This is how it went.

I cut up my lemons.
This went very well.
In fact, I even managed to peel two of the lemons without breaking the peel.

I was fascinated at my ability to actually accomplish it and very impressed at my patience to try.

Then my aunt walked in.

This wasn’t a problem in and of itself, but my ability to work in the kitchen and carry a conversation at the same time is very limited.

I proceeded to blend up the lemons with the proper amount of water. We paused our conversation while the blender was humming at a very noisy volume.

I then proceeded to add the oil and vanilla. I did this without a problem and was convinced I was fairly skilled by now.
I blended it together, looked over the list of ingredients, and decided I was finished.

My aunt would have left by now except that it was raining. And she didn’t feel like getting wet. So she procrastinated being rained on and we continued our conversation.

Suddenly I realized I had not strained the pulp from the lemon juice.
Oh well. It’s still drinkable. A little pulp and some ground up lemon seeds won’t hurt me.

I drank a sip just to be sure it wasn’t completely bitter for some crazy reason.
It wasn’t.
So I decided to blend it just a little bit more since I had mistakenly left the pulp in it.

Thankfully my aunt had disappeared out the door by now. She would have thoroughly enjoyed what was about to happen.

What I forgot was that I had taken the lid off of the blender so that I could taste it.

I turned the blender on and within 1/8th of a second there was lemon juice everywhere.
How that much juice can end up all over the floor and cabinets in so short a time is beyond me, but I had a serious mess on my hands.
Well, lesson learned at least. I doubt if I’ll ever make that mistake again.

Not only did I have a mess to clean up, but half of my concoction was gone and it wasn’t going to last the whole weekend.

I considered somehow salvaging it, but it didn’t take much brain power to figure out the impossibility of that.

The girls were soon going to arrive to pick me up and I didn’t want to keep them waiting. But I really wanted my “go juice”.

I figured my first step would be cleaning up since I knew I couldn’t leave lemon juice drying on the cabinets and countertops all weekend long. It was a process, but I got it cleaned up. Then I flew upstairs to change my outfit as that also was caked in lemon juice. No way I was going to travel like that.

I then decided I would not let this kitchen get the best of me. I would make this Singing Canary if I had to try three times to get it done properly. I would only need to make half a batch since the other half had decided to deal kindly with me and remain, calmly waiting for me to get my life together, in the blender.

It didn’t take long and I accomplished my goal. I made enough Singing Canary to help keep me going all weekend. Just after I finished, the girls showed up. I was relieved to have overcome the very stubborn process and was convinced I had learned my lesson for next time.

It looked good at least.

Twenty minutes down the road, I remembered—I never put the spices in. I tried my best to bring back any faint recollection of having put them in. But to no avail.

I considered my dilemma.

All because of Disraction, I made several Mistakes.

The most important ingredients were missing. I was now drinking lemon juice, a little bit of oil, and vanilla.
Kind of healthy but not the power I had been hoping for.
I mean, at least there’s vanilla in there to give it a little bit of good flavor!

All my beautiful ideals had blown away in the Wind of Distraction. I was left with the fragments of a good idea.

In the case of Singing Canary and a weekend full of people, it wasn’t a huge loss. I didn’t fall apart without it.

But what about the rest of my life? I’m afraid I’ve been guilty at times for allowing Distraction to ruin the purpose I was moving towards.

Will I take time to add the “missing ingredients” so I’m not just lemon juice with a little flavoring, splashed all over everything and everyone?

Will I stick with what I started and allow the finished product to be made whole?

Staying focused on the end goal is what keeps us in the race.

Remember your “why” this week and move in that direction. Let go of distractions so you can do it well. You will be glad you did.