Get 'er done!

I'm a finisher.  If I start a project, I like to finish it.  I have a really hard time not seeing something to completion.  I'm an accomplisher.  I like to check off my boxes and get things done. 

I understand everyone is different.  And I am thankful for that. 

We need to have the easy going people, the fun people, the peace people, the people that don't want to hurt other's feelings. 

But we also need the finishers.  We need people that can start a project and get it to the finish.  Otherwise, things get started and then just stall and go by the wayside.  I do understand some times circumstances change and the way a project starts must bend and flow and it may not need to be completed the same way we thought it did. 

As long as it gets done though. 

I can look at an overall picture of a project and see the individual steps that need to be taken to get to the end. 

It's a blessing and a curse really.

I love making things happen.  I see all kinds of little check marks and boxes and stuff getting done and I just light up!  But then when it's not happening on my timeline or I see inefficiencies -- I just have to stop and breathe. 

We went to a great marriage conference a few weeks ago "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage".  He had a great quiz on different personalities and what make us tick.

So basically, we all live in these different "countries". Peace, Control, Fun and Perfect countries. We all are motivated differently, speak different languages and the like. 

It's fun that God made us all differently.  We have to use each other's talents to get along really.  I'm definitely "Control" country. I'm learning to go to the other countries.  I usually can't stay long but it's good to visit them every once in a while.

So if I come across pushy, or gruff, or in a hurry- it's just because I'm trying to finish.

A Life of Joy

A week ago, my mother in law went to be with Jesus.  She was 80 years old.  Mother "in law" is a strange term.  Yes, she was "in the law".  But it was deeper than that.

She was the hub of the family.  She was diligent about calling not only her kids and grand kids, but her extended family as well.  She would call cousins, friends she'd known for years, even some ex-family members.  She truly cared about people.  When she called, it wasn't about what was going on in her life.  It was about what was happening in yours.  Then she would likely call others in the family and make sure they knew what was happening in your life too!  HA!  It held people together.  It connected us all.

Three words that completely described her.

Joy, Prayer, and Thanks.

Her first response in almost every situation was Joy!  No matter the news you told her - whether good or bad- she could find the joy in it somehow. "We are moving to Pittsburgh Grandma!" she would respond "I'm so happy for you!"  "Grandma, I just lost my job"  Her response-Well, I'm glad we will have time to visit!".  Her life took many turns and twists and I'm not sure how she survived a lot of it--but she was always joyful. 

Prayer consumed her.  She would pray about everything.  Automatically.  First thing.  I have to admit, I got a little cozy knowing I had a powerful warrior standing before the Throne!  I will miss all her powerful interventions on my behalf, on my kid's behalf.  I need to step it up and get busy praying!

Thankfulness was her mantra.  She exuded "In Everything Give Thanks!"  She literally did.  Everything.  Whereas my initial thought is usually negative. Hers was always positive.  She was thankful.  She could find a reason to be thankful.   She could pray and give thanks regardless.  I have much work to do in this area.

She was one of the quirkiest people I've ever known.  She was downright odd to most.  But those three little words - JOY, PRAYER, THANKS- were her trademark.  It's who she was inside and out.

I have much to work on in these categories.  I will strife to be the grandma that she was to my kids.

Colossians 3:14-17 "But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.