A Woman's Take on Being Late by K. Denise Holmberg
What’s Really Important?
A young woman, who acknowledged she was late for everything, was asked:
“If I offered you a million dollars, but said you had to meet me here no later than 8:00am tomorrow … what would you do?"
“I’d be here at 7:59am!” she proclaimed.
It was important to her … that million dollars. She would have showed up on time.
So what does that say about the things she’s late for? Or the people she leaves waiting?
Convicted
In 1980, I started working for American Airlines. It was my dream job. I knew it was what I wanted to do since I was eight years old.
That's when I visited my cousin, Sherry, on a layover. She was a “stewardess” and was stunning in her brown uniform and pillbox hat. She spoke of traveling the world. I was hooked.
I pursued the airlines as soon as I was old enough and became a “flight attendant.”
In a career that spanned sixteen years, I was never late once. In fact, I always signed in an hour early.
It was important to me.
Other things in my life, that I claimed were important, did not get the same respect. Like church. I was habitually late. I just wandered in when I felt like it.
One Sunday … tardy as usual … the pastor’s sermon was on … Being Late to Church.
Uh-oh.
He had valid points. Like how you are interrupting others trying to worship, and worst of all, how you are disrupting the work of the Holy Spirit.
He peered into the congregation and bellowed, “The distraction you cause turns the attention from the word of God to yourself.” Then he paused and asked softly, “What in life would you never consider being late for? Why is it more important to you than God?”
I wasn’t the only one squirming in the pew that morning. Sad minor chords were playing in souls all around me.
I sat right there and thought, is my job more important to me than my Lord?
A Common Complaint
Men have complained about women being late since the stone-age. I have no proof of that, but I bet it's true.
Far more women than men have kept me waiting over the years.
Why Is That Ladies?
I remember a comic strip from Family Circle:
A young, harried mother is running around cleaning, dressing, and feeding little kids. She shoves them into jackets and pushes them out the door to church. Dad waits in the car and blasts the horn.
The young Mom says to him, “Next week, you get the kids ready and I’ll sit in the car and honk.”
OK guys … you could help more. But, come on girls … get a move on it!
My mom’s advice: If you think you need an hour to get ready … give it an hour and a half.
An Apron, Coffee & Newspaper
My mom would get up early, shower and dress, and don an apron to keep clean. I can still picture the contrast of a tattered kitchen apron covering her best dress and pearls.
After the kids were up and dressed, and Cheerios skillfully poured, she had coffee and read the newspaper … if there was time.
That was her goal; keep clean and have time for caffeine and the news.
I don’t recall ever walking in late for church as a child. By her actions, Mom modeled what was important.
What the Experts Say
Doing a little research on people who run late netted a plethora of articles, books and opinions on the subject.
The eternally late have: low self-control, low self-esteem, anxiety, insecurity, some have ADHD, and others are manipulative and controlling because everything is about them.
Worst of all, if your reputation is of being late, people naturally do not trust or rely on you.
The most common words used to describe someone who tumbles in late all the time: rude, arrogant, and inconsiderate.
Life happens; wardrobes malfunction, kids throw-up before you walk out the door, the dog goes missing … sometimes being late is unavoidable. Being chronically late is.
What do you think about people who always run late? Does it bother you?
See you next week ... on time!
KDH
Pledging to be Tardy No More
A young woman, who acknowledged she was late for everything, was asked:
“I’d be here at 7:59am!” she proclaimed.
It was important to her … that million dollars. She would have showed up on time.
So what does that say about the things she’s late for? Or the people she leaves waiting?
Convicted
In 1980, I started working for American Airlines. It was my dream job. I knew it was what I wanted to do since I was eight years old.
That's when I visited my cousin, Sherry, on a layover. She was a “stewardess” and was stunning in her brown uniform and pillbox hat. She spoke of traveling the world. I was hooked.
I pursued the airlines as soon as I was old enough and became a “flight attendant.”
In a career that spanned sixteen years, I was never late once. In fact, I always signed in an hour early.
It was important to me.
Other things in my life, that I claimed were important, did not get the same respect. Like church. I was habitually late. I just wandered in when I felt like it.
One Sunday … tardy as usual … the pastor’s sermon was on … Being Late to Church.
Uh-oh.
He had valid points. Like how you are interrupting others trying to worship, and worst of all, how you are disrupting the work of the Holy Spirit.
I wasn’t the only one squirming in the pew that morning. Sad minor chords were playing in souls all around me.
I sat right there and thought, is my job more important to me than my Lord?
A Common Complaint
Men have complained about women being late since the stone-age. I have no proof of that, but I bet it's true.
Far more women than men have kept me waiting over the years.
Why Is That Ladies?
I remember a comic strip from Family Circle:
A young, harried mother is running around cleaning, dressing, and feeding little kids. She shoves them into jackets and pushes them out the door to church. Dad waits in the car and blasts the horn.
The young Mom says to him, “Next week, you get the kids ready and I’ll sit in the car and honk.”
OK guys … you could help more. But, come on girls … get a move on it!
My mom’s advice: If you think you need an hour to get ready … give it an hour and a half.
An Apron, Coffee & Newspaper
 |
| NOT MY MOM |
After the kids were up and dressed, and Cheerios skillfully poured, she had coffee and read the newspaper … if there was time.
That was her goal; keep clean and have time for caffeine and the news.
I don’t recall ever walking in late for church as a child. By her actions, Mom modeled what was important.
What the Experts Say
Doing a little research on people who run late netted a plethora of articles, books and opinions on the subject.
The eternally late have: low self-control, low self-esteem, anxiety, insecurity, some have ADHD, and others are manipulative and controlling because everything is about them.
Worst of all, if your reputation is of being late, people naturally do not trust or rely on you.
The most common words used to describe someone who tumbles in late all the time: rude, arrogant, and inconsiderate.
Life happens; wardrobes malfunction, kids throw-up before you walk out the door, the dog goes missing … sometimes being late is unavoidable. Being chronically late is.
What do you think about people who always run late? Does it bother you?
See you next week ... on time!
KDH
Pledging to be Tardy No More
Good advice to follow. Thanks for sharing.
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