THE COST OF SHORT CUTS

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!!  I am living proof!



I have made the trip from Louisiana to Texas since 2001.  Old habits die hard and I have taken the same route without question for years.  This past weekend I made a trip to Austin to see my oldest grand graduate from high school (he is such a sweet young man).  For some strange reason, I decided to use google maps--perhaps in anticipation of someday not knowing where the heck I am.  Turns out there is a new toll road that has been built that allows me to completely avoid Tyler.  For all this time I have taken the loop around Tyler, but this is slow and has dense traffic and red lights in abundance.  The new toll road eliminates all of that!  For only a mere $1.83, I cut probably 15 minutes off my trip and reduced my stress considerably.  The price of the short cut was well worth it!



Taking short cuts in all forms and fashions, I have learned they usually come with a cost.  You can not always trust the Easy Street route to be the best way.   I love to find cooking short cuts, and they can save considerable time and effort.  Short cuts in baking are disastrous!  Baking is all about chemical reactions and precise measurements and short cuts can produce non-edible baked goods.  The expense of tossed ingredients is a great teacher.



I have lots of friends who have tried many a short cut to weight loss.  Those that tried gimmicks or fast track remedies, in most cases, end up right back where they started from and sometimes even heavier.  Those who are successful have changed their eating habits~made life style changes . This usually results in slower weight loss, but I have noticed higher sustained success rates.  




Google maps gives us the "fastest routes" which may not be the route of the least distance.  The shortest route may have the cost of a slow crawl pace when driving switchbacks.  If you take the windy road over the mountain pass, it will save your 30 miles, but add 2 hours to your trip due to the necessity of driving slowly on switchbacks.  



We live in a fast paced society where most of us are seeking short cuts to help us sustain our busy lives.  There is one situation when short cuts NEVER work and potentially have a huge cost~relationships.  There is NO short cut to a sustained healthy relationship with anyone.  Relationships take time and work~there are no quick fixes in either forming relationships or maintaining them.  They take time, energy and commitment.  This especially holds true in our relationship with The Father.  If you are not committing to spending time and energy seeking Him--it is not going to happen.  Charles Stanley spoke the truth of it all with this quote,

"There is only one secure foundation: a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which will carry you through any and all turmoil. No matter what storms are raging all around, you'll stand firm if you stand on His love."

Take the long road to this deep relationship, it is well worth every extra mile.

19 Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God
I Chronicles 22:19

3 comments

  1. I'll have to disagree ... a little ... with you, Lulu. Personally, I am all for short-cuts in life. Let me explain.

    They say men can decide within 15 minutes whether they like a woman of not. Women take 15 seconds apparently. That being the case, why in my youth women did not say straight away that they don't like me. Before I ordered the wine and the meal. It would have saved me a lot of money taking women out when I was dating. So I learnt to ask them as soon as we sat in the restaurant - do you want to marry me? will you wash my socks? I saved a lot of money that way, and dined alone often.

    I just gave up dating and didn't bother to look good any more. I wore my clothes for as long as possible before changing them. Wore corduroy trousers and checked shirts. Suede shoes with white socks. Basically, I became a sex symbol for women who do not care. That's how I found my wife ... a short cut to success!

    God bless.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, Victor, she is going to kill you!! Laughing!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  2. I have to admit, Lulu, that I love finding the shorter (mile wise) route when travelling, but there are not short cuts when it comes to relationships with others and with God. All important, always!
    Blessings to you!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!