Have you ever looked back at something you created and wonder, “Where did that come from?” You know, that one piece that was creative or beautiful or eye-catching? Recently I read through a few paragraphs of a book I was encouraged to write. I started it, but didn’t get very far.

In my Bible study time, I came across the name of the character in this future novella. Reading this name sparked my desire to see what I actually had written about this man. I was surprised. Surprised enough to consider getting back to finishing that particular piece.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably got a few unfinished projects around your home. I would say for me it’s more like a hundred. Why is it we have a tendency to do this? Perhaps we get bored with a project before it’s complete. Perhaps our mind wanders too much and we think of something else we should or could do. Perhaps we don’t feel that it’s turning out the way we’d hoped or liked.

Regardless of the reason, these little projects can nag at us unless we finish the project or eliminate it from our presence.

Most of our unfinished projects are not of real importance. They probably won’t make a huge difference in someone’s life. They aren’t life altering. If they were, we would finish them, right?

So consider if Noah hadn’t finished the ark. Or if Solomon hadn’t completed the task of building the temple. Or Jonah hadn’t gone on to Ninevah. Or if Paul hadn’t finished the letters to the churches. Or if Jesus hadn’t gone to the cross. Now those unfinished projects would have made a difference in the world.

So how are we to view the projects we fill our lives with that really aren’t all that important? Well first of all, if these projects take us away from our time with God, it’s time to put the projects away and build that relationship with Him. God must always come first.

But if we have the ability to balance our lives with these projects and they bring us joy, I believe we should do them.

Look at the woman from Proverbs 31. She certainly had plenty of projects to keep her busy. And yet, she was able to do it all and still be called blessed by her children. Her husband had full confidence in her and praised her. She had time to spare for the poor and needy. At the end of the day she was able to laugh. And she feared the Lord and gave praise to His Name.

Now there are plenty of things that have been said about this wonder woman of Proverbs 31 and if you’re like me, you are positive you could never live up to her example. But let’s look at her from the perspective of unfinished projects.

She completed everything she started. At least the pieces that affected her family. I’m sure if we were to peek into her closet, we’d find some of those non-essential, unfinished projects. After all, she is a woman.

My point is that we need to determine if these projects are beneficial to ourselves and our families. And yes, if it makes you happy to work on a project, your happiness and uplifted spirit will benefit your family.

I think I’m rambling now, so here’s what I really want to say. Give God your best and first fruits. Whenever you are at your peak, spend time with Him. Give Him the best you of your day. When you do this, He will honor everything else in your day.

We can also keep in mind that everything we do is in God’s hands. As a follower of Christ, our words, actions, and thoughts should reflect Jesus. God is holding us to that. “My times are in your hands…” (Psalm 31:15 – NIV)

I will continue to have unfinished projects sitting around my house. Not for any other reason than something else of greater importance has replaced it.

I pray that you will look at your unfinished projects as a sign that you are able to prioritize. You’ve learned what’s most important and you’ve chosen to do it.

Perhaps unfinished projects aren’t as bad as I once thought.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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