What I Don’t Do…
Thank you so much for letting me share my heart last week on “What I Do”. There was so much freedom in listing my priorities, and where God has me. Understanding my role and where things fit in, is so helpful in identifying where I can be used best, and what things to say “yes” to. I’m such a work-in-progress, but I’m thankful for the calling in my life.
When I better understood What I Do, I could better evaluate What I Don’t Do or at least do well, and come to terms with who God hasn’t made me to be. Sure, I can grow in these areas to some degree, but I no longer have to fight to be everything and do everything. I can stop the comparison game for good. I can stop making excuses when I don’t seem to add up. I don’t have to become something I’m not made for…
These are my don’ts, they certainly don’t have to be yours. Our gifts are different, and that is a stunningly beautiful thing.
So Here’s a List of The Things I Don’t Do :
>>> I Don’t Do Gourmet Cooking. If I haven’t heard of an ingredient in the recipe, I’m probably not going to try it. I like simple, real foods that are family-friendly, and ready in a reasonable time. I’ll never be a star on Food Network, but I can still watch and drool, and appreciate those who are much more talented {and patient} in the kitchen than I.
>>> I Don’t Do Marathons. Life is a marathon as it is, I won’t be running one any time soon. I exercise for health and well-being. I call myself a casual runner, but I’m not planning more than a 5K, and I think I can find accomplishment in this without running for hours.
>>> I Don’t Do Fancy. I don’t mind getting a little dressed up, but most of the time you’ll find me dressing comfortably. I don’t own a pair of heels or expensive jewelry, or have a fabulous wardrobe. I certainly don’t want to be frumpy or let myself go, but I’m far from runway material.
>>> I Don’t Keep a Perfect House. I try to keep up on laundry,bathrooms, and general tidiness, but there’s dust on the piano and fingerprints on my windows. And shockingly, this doesn’t make me a terrible mother.
>>> I Don’t Do Elaborate Hosting. I take “make yourself at home” policy literally when I have guests in my home. I want them to feel welcome and comfortable, and I’m happy to go out of my way to do so, but we still have to live here when we have guests. That probably means things like family-friendly foods, toys on the floor at the end of the day, and you might have to replace the toilet paper if my boys leave you hanging. After all, it doesn’t have to be elaborate to be entertaining.
>>> I Don’t Do Crafting That Requires More Than School Supplies. I burnt myself about 17 times last week on the glue gun, proving once again that I don’t have stellar crafting or DIY skills. I don’t do power tools. I’m a pretty big failure on Pinterest terms, but it’s just not how I was “created”.
>>> I Don’t Do Busy. Some people thrive on having a full calendar and places to go every night. They can be involved in multiple activities a week, fulfill social commitments, volunteer, etc without getting burnt out. I run best on simple, and busy is my nemesis. Sure we have commitments through the week, and fun social excursions, but I need time at home with my family to recharge, and live together.
I don’t do scrapbooking. I don’t do paleo. I don’t do competitive mothering. I don’t do sewing, basket weaving, or paint by number. I don’t do complicated, and I certainly don’t do perfect. And it’s okay. I’m called to do THIS, not be all these things.
So I’m curious, do we share any “Don’ts?” What Don’t YOU Do?
A lot of your list would be on mine too! Hmm, I don’t know arts/crafts (HATE Pinterest!), fancy, gourmet, trendy or technology….I’d have to think more to round it out.
I have the same list. I like to play around with sewing, but that’s the only thing different from your list. I feel better now about not having a marathon on my to do list. Thanks!
I don’t do sewing. I don’t do deep cleaning. I don’t do lady things at church like brunches, retreats, & craft nights. I don’t volunteer in the classroom. I don’t do shopping or fashion. I don’t always do showers. ha! I don’t do makeup (except for Sundays on WTHR or when I speak). I don’t do cookies after school. I don’t do decorating (in fact Brian picked out all of our current decor in the LR). Whew, this makes me feel better. I should list my don’t dos out on my site too. 😉
My list is pretty similar. I don’t do busy well at all! I don’t to flawless house. I don’t do scary! I am really happy when Halloween is over!
Thank you for this!! It sounds totally like me and makes me feel more normal! 😀 I’m always for more easy, everyday recipes too!
I don’t do a LOT – including a lot of cleaning, scrapbooking the way I used to, gardening or fancy cooking. Love this post, my friend!
I absolutely positively LOVE your blogging!! This post is awesome!!
I don’t craft.
I don’t mow the lawn.
I don’t watch kids tv.
Love love love this. We stay in our pjs if we’re not leaving the house. I am definitely not crafty. My kids don’t get a bath every night. And we are all happy!
I have 6 kids close together so i dont do most of the things you listed except for 2 things. I just ran a half marathon in april it was amazing. I started because 2 of my teenage daughters wanted to do it with me and i was the only one who did it. But i will do it again because i have a daughter who has committed fully to it. And we have a full schedule with 4 kids in soccer and 1 that travels a lot with that.
However that means that we dont do sit down meals together often, gourmet meals ( lots of pbj in the car), or perfectly coordinated outfits. I also dont do whole foods 100% of the time, avoiding dyes (need my skittles!) , homeschooling coops (competitive mothering in my neck of the woods) and church every sunday.
But we worship together on long car rides truly sharing our hearts and connecting with our kids.
I love your list and found you via pinterest.
What a great idea to make a list of what I do and don’t do…if you manage life half-way decently then you can be open to the Holy Spirit when he nudges us. I so agree with “I don’t do busy”. 4 boys and a husband is busy enough. Bless you.
What a great idea to make a list of what I do and don’t do…if you manage life half-way decently then you can be open to the Holy Spirit when he nudges us. I so agree with “I don’t do busy”. 4 boys and a husband is busy enough. Bless you.
I loved this post! I think social media, magazines, and TV have a way of making us feel like failures if we don’t do EVERYTHING. But trying to do what we are wired by God to do is a recipe for disaster.
P.S. Pretty sure you clean your bathrooms more often then I do. I wait until they are science project material. Lol!