ALMOST is Not Enough!
By: Donna Haug
August 26, 2003
“Esther, are you done in there?”
I hear another splash in the tub as my 11 year old daughter answers, “ALMOST!” With that she proceeds to fill her plastic swan with water and pour yet another soapy concoction into an empty shampoo bottle.
This response is very common in our house and is often used when someone is not allowed to say “No!” but wants to delay the “Yes!” as much as possible! “Did you finish cleaning up your room?” “Is your homework done?” “Are the dishes finished?” ….. “ALMOST!”
I sometimes wonder if I do not try to avoid answering my Lord in a similar way. “My child, have you spent time alone with Me today so that I can refresh your soul?”
“ALMOST, Lord, but I got called away.”
“Dear one, did you tell your hurting friend that I love her and want to be involved in her life?”
“Well, I ALMOST did, but then the moment passed and the conversation shifted …”
“Have you written your article for this week’s challenge?”
ALMOST!
Good intentions will not renew my spirit or heal my friend’s broken heart. Can I be content with ALMOST? Is it enough that “I meant to”?
Lord, help me get beyond ALMOST to the place where I can say, “YES, I have accomplished today what you asked me to do!”
Remember the NIKE logo? “Don’t just think about it – DO IT!”
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Col. 3:17
Read more articles by Donna Haug or search for articles on the same topic or others.
I'm a new member and just read this piece. It's almost wonderful(Just kidding ;-) I kept waiting for you to include Agrippa's comment to Paul in Acts 26: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Thanks for a powerful new insight.
Donna, excellent message again (but come on girl, you're one of the fastest Writing Challenge contributors of all!) ;-) I had never really thought of the word "almost" as being a cop out for "no" before. I'll never say it quite the same way ever again. With love, Deb
Donna`This is so great..while writing my article for the challenge this week..I had begun it in this very fashion..talking about how popular the word "almost" is around my house..My kids are "almost" ready,"almost" off the phone, "almost" done with their homework..and then God led me to see, as you, that "almost" was just an excuse, another way of saying no, and my article took a different turn..God bless you for stating this point so clearly. Great job! With love, Mary
This is very true. I don't have kids, but I see myself in this. Sometimes Almost, means we haven't even started. I have started my submission...it's almost finished...really! Good job. Pete
Very good, Donna. An astute observation. Reminds me that I should follow the admonition in Matthew 5:37 to let my nay be nay, and my yea be yea! Thanks! - Donna J.
Good article Donna! I think you hit that nail square on when you said - 'almost' is our response when we don't want to say 'yes' or 'no.' Good analysis! ~ Violet
