Guest Post by Kathi Seay, AKA Mama Seay within the Patriot Academy family.
Two weeks ago I was asked to write a blog post for the Patriot Academy blog. I promised I would have something by the next morning. Then I promptly forgot to follow through. Being patient and kind, Judith did not hound or reproach me. But, she did follow up and ask if I had been able to come up with anything for the blog.
As conviction hit me for not being prompt in fulfilling my responsibility, I began to search for a topic that was “blog worthy” for Patriot Academy. Looking at the news of the day for inspiration there were wild fires, massive storms, a presidential race, the health care legislation, and upheaval and discord in nations across the world to consider. None of them sparked my interest.
Then it hit me. Write about the lesson of the day.
Our downfall is not the big things. It is the little things.
But, it was just writing a post for the blog, so what’s the big deal?
The big deal is that I said I was going to do something and didn’t do it. That action (or inaction) undermines the value of my word and spotlights a flaw in my character. It prevented Judith from making the post on the blog when she was scheduled to do so. And it left her in the position of having to remind me of my responsibility or picking up the slack and doing the job herself or trying to find someone else to do it for her. In other words, my inaction really gave me no second thoughts at all, but it left someone else picking up the pieces.
Now I actually have some wonderful excuses that could be pulled out to explain my inaction. Illness, travel, boss in town, temperature over 100 degrees, rain, drought, . . . . The point is, excuses are like noses. Everybody has one. But the truth is, no matter what the excuse the outcome was the same.
Now the question of the day for our Patriot Academy applicants:
Have you made a commitment you have failed to fulfill?
Have you completed your fundraising? Is your bill filed and ready to go? Have you made those phone calls you promised to make or sent those emails you promised to send?
As a member of the board of the Torch of Freedom Foundation I have it pretty easy. Staff takes care of most of the details and covers for us when we drop the ball. Judith is extremely forgiving and lets us off the hook when we fail to fulfill our word. I appreciate that. Mercy is a trait easier to receive than to give.
Perhaps that is why my message today is to publicly share my apology for my failure to follow through on my word and to fulfill my commitment. Then, I have just one follow-up question for you:
What are you going to do about your unfulfilled commitments?
