Reasons and Excuses

I've been noticing lately how easily we fall into a category and use it for an excuse.

For instance, I looked up many of the labels I've been guilty of giving myself. I'm a:

Leo
Sanguine
Otter
Golden Retriever
Left-Handed
Extravert
Intuitive/Feeler
Shepherd/Encourager
Last Born but only child
German/Swedish
Born Again believer

Wow.  I just read over the list and I should be very impressed with myself!

However, many of these descriptors can be used as a shield when we feel threatened to change.

"I act this way because I'm an otter."  "I can't be quiet because I'm an extravert."  "I'm a clown because I'm last born but treat me respectfully because I'm an intuitive/feeler."  "I'm goofy because I'm left-handed."
"I'm bossy because I'm a Leo."

This seems to be our reason (read-excuse) to blame others for not getting along with us!
No acceptance of our own attitudes or vanities or pride. 

Haven't you done this?  I know I have. 

I can't tell you the relief I have felt when some label excused my poor behavior.  It isn't me being a jerk;
it's my temperment, horoscope, birth order, Myers-Briggs results, spiritual gift, nationality.

BUT...

Using those labels to rationalize why we do what we do says we are helpless.  Victims to our circumstances.
Is that how we are to live?

I'd like to suggest we all ignore those labels.  Instead, let's dig our heels in when tempted to explain away why we are being pig-headed or fearful or controlling.  Let's turn our backs on accepting those excuses from our friends and family members too.

I'd like to think that God works in our lives and hearts IN SPITE OF those labels that have hindered us for so long.  He wants us to cast off the 'old man' and allow Him to give us a new life.

I love that part but it assumes we take responsibility for our reasons and excuses.

Here are some labels I'd love to embrace instead:

Loved,
Protected
Shielded
Empowered through His grace
Healed
Rescued
Lifted up

and best of all,

FORGIVEN

New Years Resolution Finale

I hope you've been following along as I've discussed New Years resolutions.

Of course, I want to encourage you to make positive life decisions for 2011 and beyond.
But sometimes it helps more to make negative choices. Believe me, I know that sounds weird but I can explain:
I will not walk on a major highway during rush hour because I don't want to get hit by a car.
I will not steal stuff from the store because I don't want to get arrested.
I will not swim with sharks because I don't want them to get indigestion.

I asked my hubby recently if he thought people accept Christ as their Savior because they
a) want to go to heaven
or
b) don't want to go to hell.

If you think it engendered deep theological debate you're wrong.
He didn't say anything.
I thought he didn't hear me or he was ignoring me again. Or his brain was deeply rooted in that NOTHING box we hear men have.
Let's get back to the point.
I finally shook him (I know he wasn't sleeping because he was driving). He shrugged and said,
"Who cares why as long as they do it?"
Deep thoughts...who knew?

Which brings me to the negative slant I've placed on my New Years resolutions this year. There are so many things I know I should be doing I get overwhelmed, sit down and eat chocolate.
Why even try when you know you're going to fail immediately? Thinking of what I won't do, however, gives me more to work with.
So along with my previous posts of resolutions I'd like to add one last one:

I will not make excuses

This falls in the realm of 'I can't_______ because it's too cold, too hot,too late, too early, too expensive, too hard, too frustrating, too boring, too challenging or too easy..."

You know what I'm talking about. Admit it.

Every time we're presented with something we just know we're supposed to do we come up with a myriad of excuses why we can't (won't) do it.

Here's another example:

"I'd have ________ but my husband boyfriend sister dog alarm clock car friend running and/or prayer partner didn't call text email fb remind tweet drive ring my doorbell to wake me up."

Suddenly nothing is your responsibility and it's all someone elses' fault.

So I'm over it. I'm over lying to myself and everyone whose life I influence when I make excuses for blowing it.
The truth throws people off balance but I'm willing to risk it. Not only will I resolve to not make excuses, I'm going to admit the truth:
I wanted to stay home
I don't want to go shopping
I'm lazy today and don't want to exercise
I want to eat this junk
I want to do something else.

Facing that truth will force me to choose my behaviors wisely. I won't make rash promises I will surely break the first chance I get. I refuse to use other nouns (people, places, or things) as scapegoats.
If I did it, said it,forgot it or refused to do it, I will admit it.

This concludes my New Years resolutions. I hope they make you think about your own resolutions. Let' s make 2011 a year of positive growth and maturity, even if we have to be negative to do it.