“First we do what we have to do; then we can do what we want to do.”

“First we do what we have to do; then we can do what we want to do.”

 My children can quote this phrase from our household.  I read it in an article about Denzel Washington and the fact that he uses it with his kids.  Hey, if it’s good enough for Denzel, then I thought, it’s good enough for me!

 It is a great quote for teaching delayed gratification.

 My son, upon the first few times of hearing this statement, would say, “But I want to do what I want to do!” This of course, makes perfect sense to a 4-year-old. (Of course, next, I try to explain to him that we don’t always get to do what we want to do.  That is not real life.  Life is not fair.)  And then he will invariably ask me to do something like drive him to the Jaguar store to buy him one.  (At least he has big dreams.) However, we don’t always get to do what we want to do.  He is starting to understand this.

 This statement can apply to about any area of our lives. 

First, do your homework.  Then you can go play.

First you do the dishes.  Then you can have dessert.

First, we eat some healthy food.  Then, we can think about dessert.

First, we pay your bills.  Then, we can look into that new TV.

First, you use your time wisely.  Then, you can goof off.

First, work on your relationship with God.  Then, you will see fruit in your life when the tough times come.

 First, do what you have to do!

 I can’t tell you how thankful I am for choosing to do first things first.  It may seem difficult on the front end, but it pays off down the road.

Would anybody like to share a time when doing first things first, led to God’s blessing?

Thora

Author: Thora Anderson

Pastor, wife, daughter, sister, friend, Recovering worrier, Thinker, Mother of two teenagers. I've been in ministry for over 30 years and count that as huge success.

One thought on ““First we do what we have to do; then we can do what we want to do.””

  1. I could honestly say it may be hard at times to do things first instead what I want to do. I have been going through tests and trials in my life. My whole family was baptized in September 2007 Labor Day weekend, we are a family of four. The following year my husband decided he no longer wanted to be married to me and filed for a divorce. It has been very hard emotionally, physically, and spiritually at times. I almost quite going to church. I thought it would be easier to go out to clubs or consume alcohol just for a quick patch from the pain I was feeling. Knowing my husband left me for another women and her 4 kids was hurtful . Thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for saving me from that road, for making my crooked path strait. Now I am praying to God for healing, going to church, taking a class for divorce care, and attending small group. Yes, I may be feeling the pain and dealing with it but its better then pretending it not there or trying to avoid it. It hurts but the great thing is that I have been healing and my children are healing also. I forgive my kids father praise the Lord. I feel this peace in my soul. Thank the Lord he has been keeping me from my temptations of wanting to go out to clubs or consume alcohol or yelling at my kids and taking my anger out on them. Thank you Lord. God bless you all

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