Well, I suppose it's beyond official now...I am an absolutely terrible blogger...it's August already and this is my first post of the year! And I can say with some certainty that it's likely to be my only post this year. In fact, the only reason I'm posting this here and now is because I thought there could likely be more than the solitary reader of my journal who might benefit from the following.
This niggling thought-turned-to-mental-rant actually started back in February or March of this year. A friend of mine was wearing a shirt that he'd had for 10+ years and discovered a hole near the front pocket. I attempted to hush his lamenting the imminent loss of this favored article of clothing by offering to patch the hole. (I did warn him that my skills as a seamstress are nothing to boast about, but since the shirt could hardly be ruined more, I would do my best.) So, he brought the shirt by the next day for me to fix up as much as I could. I was somewhat pleased with the results (only a slight pucker)...although now that I think about it, I never saw him wear the shirt again.... Oh well, perhaps the poor thing finally earned it's retirement. :)
However, the point of this story is not the shirt! It is, in fact, a comment that this friend made to me as I settled down on the couch to attempt to reunite the two edges of worn fabric...he said, "I guess this is good practice for you!" That's it! Just a simple, mildly flippant little comment...but it took me so by surprise and set the wheels in my mind turning furiously (perhaps the pucker in the mended shirt was not only due to my poor seamstress skills).
Here is the path my mind traveled in the 30 minutes following his comment...and has revisted on many, many occasions over the past 6 months: Practice for what, exactly?!? Practice for marriage? Practice for when I have children? Why should I practice these skills for then...as if having a man and a gaggle of little ones with constant supplies of hole-y clothes will suddenly make this skill-set complete or worthwhile!
Please don't get me wrong...I really am not bitter about this (although even reading back over it, I know it might sound like I am). His statement was just very eye-opening to me. I realized that I tell myself that same thing all the time: Cook new things every chance you get...it's good practice! Babysit/work with kiddos every chance you get...not only is it super fun, but it's excellent practice! Clean and decorate whatever space you are given...it's good practice! etc, etc, etc!!! I have spent my whole life thus far "practicing for" and "honing skills for" something...but what?!?!?
At what point can I stop "practicing" and start DOING! Why must I wait until I'm in a relationship or married to stop practicing and start cooking for another person (or people)? Why must I wait until my hubby and I have our place all set up to stop practicing and start having dinner and game nights with friends (especially married couples)? Why must I wait until I have children of my own to stop practicing and start loving on, training, and sharing whimsical moments with kiddos? Why must I wait until I'm in the hustle and bustle of family life to stop practicing and start patching clothes like a pro?
I realize this is definitely WAY deeper than anything my poor friend intended to push me off into...but I'm so glad it happened! There are so many simple, everyday needs around me all the time that, yes, might prepare me for something I might encounter in married life somewhere down the road--but should I really be meeting those needs as if they are "practice" for whatever the next (or final) step might be?!? How absurd! These are real needs that I can meet now--many of them are needs I am well-prepared to meet thanks to prior experiences! It seems so silly to me to label them as "practice" for something down the road...like marriage and family are the final rehearsal or something!
This is life...right now...stop practicing...start doing! Use those crazy-awesome kiddo skills you've been honing your whole life to babysit for your friend while she runs to the grocery store or goes on a date with her hubby. Find a group of college students (or high school students...or guys who are bach-ing it and won't be picky) and try that ginormous chicken spaghetti recipe you found on Pinterest. Let your nieces and nephews come spend the afternoon with you baking cookies to take to their teachers! Mend a shirt for a friend. Cook Easter lunch for your singles small group. Be a blessing, not for the sake of what you're getting out of it, but because God has given you gifts and experiences (which hone skills) and you should be using those to build up the Body of Christ and bring glory to HIM!
So, anyways, there's my rant/plaguing thought for the year. I hope it helps inspire you as you bid farewell to the "practice" mentality or that it at least plants a niggling thought which will take root in your mind and heart.
P.S. This is obviously written from a single girl/woman's perspective...however, the concept is definitely applicable regardless of your gender or "status" in life.
P.P.S. I'd love to hear your additional suggestions for how to stop practicing and start doing (because I know there are TONS more)...leave a comment below!
