I recently went to a nail salon to get a “quick” manicure. Most of the time I go for my toes, and that usually takes over an hour. So I was thrilled that this new place only took 20 minutes on my fingers. I was in a hurry, and hurried them along, and thought nothing of it. …Until the next day. My fingers were nicked and sore, and the UV activated nail polish that was supposed to only come off with soaking in acetone was chipped off almost entirely. My first instinct was to blame the salon. And then I saw the lesson in this experience. I needed to take the time for a good manicure- and to be sure the nail polish set properly. My rushing out of there may have fit my schedule nicely. But it didn’t result in anything of lasting quality.
I also recently had an experience of the opposite nature- one that reinforced the importance of preparation. We hosted our first big BBQ for this 4th of July. It was awesome! I started planning a month in advance. I rented a bouncy house and several tables and chairs. I arranged for water activities for the kids and did a lot of yard work to get everything in order. I made sure we all had shade, a place to sit, lots of food and drink, and I even got up on a ladder to set up the misting system to cool down the 100 degree heat. There was a lot of work that went into the party- and it resulted in a fantastic time. I loved being able to visit with my friends and family. And once the party started all the “work” only added to the fun. I would do it all again. And without all the preparation we would have had many problems because of the heat.
I share these two opposing experiences to illustrate the importance of taking time to do things right; and not rush things. When I was dating my husband we took our time getting to know each other before we started kissing. Many in the Christian world believe in the sacred nature of intimate relationships. We are encouraged to save sex for after marriage, and severely limit the amount of physical affection before marriage. I’m very grateful for that counsel because it has helped build a solid foundation of respect and friendship in our marriage. Taking our time to do it right has made all the difference.
Living the Christian Life.
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The last experience I’ll share is actually my experience writing for this blog. I have always been a lover of the written word. But as I delve into my soul to find something of quality to share with you each week; I have to take the time to let the Spirit whisper. There have been times when I tried to write my article amid many distractions. But I’ve found the best inspiration comes when I let the environment reflect Him whose inspiration I seek. I love how the Lord quietly inspires and guides. He isn’t the one standing with a bull horn to your ear. He is peace and joy and reassurance and love. And as we take the time to do things right His spirit is ever more present. And life is better for those quiet times. They refresh the soul, calm the troubled heart, and inspire the mind. I encourage everyone to take the time and make the effort to get the quality results we all desire. Whether those results are in party planning, relationship building, or building our spiritual stores; no efforts are wasted. The Lord will reach out to us as we reach out to Him. And life will be that much richer for it.
About Patty Sampson
Patty thrives on all things creative. You’ll often find her in the garden pretending she is a suburban farmer. She loves meeting new people, and is devoted to her friends and family. In her heart she is a Midwesterner even though life has moved her all over the country. She believes in “blooming where you’re planted” and has found purpose in every place she has been. She has a deep and abiding love for the Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And she loves editing LDS Blogs because it is a constant spiritual uplift. Not many people can say their job builds their witness of the Savior.
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