Waiting To Live

A Poem by Carolyn Shields

Don't wait until you are on the brink of burnout to rest. 

Don't wait until you've hit the point of exhaustion to take care of yourself.

Don't wait until you feel lethargic and sluggish before you begin to exercise.

Don't wait until you are breaking to hit your knees in prayer.

Don't wait until your pantry is nearly empty before you head off to the grocery store.

Don't wait until you receive a sign from God to take a leap of faith and go for it.

Don't wait until you have enough finances and a perfect spending plan to give, to go, to begin.

Don't wait until your kids are in school and can take care of themselves before you pick up a hobby.

Don't wait until you've exhausted every other option before confronting something or someone.

Don't wait until it all crescendos before you approach your boss.

Don’t wait until you feel the effects of sin before you head to the confessional.

Don't wait until you have some perfectly well formed argument or justification or request before you speak up.

Don't wait until you have a flat tire before you learn how to change one. 

Don't wait until the last minute, until it's too late, until it's perfect, until it boils over, or until you fully understand.

Begin. Just very simply, begin.