Not Just a Starter

by Crystal Paine

As some of you may have noticed from reading my blog or interacting with me, I'm a great starter and always have lots of new ideas floating around in my "overactive" brain. But what you probably also have noticed is that I am not the best at actually completing tasks. Has anyone else noticed an excessive amount of "Part 1" posts I've done and then never followed up with a "Part 2"?

I love starting new things-- new books to read (I have probably at least 20 started right now, I'm embarrassed to admit), new projects to sew (Just take a peek into my craft area in the closet to figure this one out!), and new business ideas (Don't even ask how many business ideas poor Jesse has had to talk me out of! Like I really can add anything to my schedule! Yet, I always think, "C'mon, just this one more thing. It's a great idea, it won't take that much time. I promise I'll try to have dinner on time from now on and no more clean laundry piles on the bed, and yes, I WILL make sure there are sheets on the bed tonight.")

But, finishing? What's that?

I have often found myself envying those people who can have one project and they can stick with that one project until it is done and then they move onto the next thing. Me try to do that? You've got to be kidding! Instead, it seems our home is one big string of unfinished projects-- laundry to fold over here, books to read in that corner, letters to answer over there, a cleaning project to finish. I guess I could very well fit the classification of a Sidetracked Home Executive.
If it weren't for my inability to stand clutter and mess, our home might very well constantly look like a tornado had just swept through!

I'm so thankful that God is not just a starter, He is also a Finisher. I was reading a sermon by C.H. Spurgeon this morning and this quotation struck me: "Many people have only believed in God to save them for a time; so long as they are faithful, or so long as they are earnest. Beloved, believe in God to keep you faithful and earnest all your life: take a ticket all the way through. Get a salvation which covers all risks. There is no other ticket issued from the authorized office but a through-ticket. Other tickets are forgeries. He that cannot keep you for ever cannot keep you a day. If the power of regeneration will not last through life, it may not last an hour. Faith in the everlasting covenant stirs my heart's blood, fills me with grateful joy, inspires me with confidence, fires me with enthusiasm. I can never give up my belief in what the Lord hath said, 'And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.'"

Crystal Paine is a 24-year-old homeschool graduate from Topeka, Kansas. She is the blessed wife of Jesse and joyful mother of Kathrynne. Visit her site, Biblical Womanhood, for books, articles, encouragement, and inspiration!

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