When excuses won’t help: choosing responsibility over regret

David Bowman March 30, 2025

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For every activity there is a right time and procedure, even though a person's troubles are heavy on him.—Ecclesiastes 8:6

I needed an excuse recently. In preparing for a big event, I had missed something.

Big stuff was going on in my little world, and it crowded out the thoughts I should have been thinking and the work I should have been doing.

Bedtime was not the welcome respite it normally is because what I was supposed to have taken care of was coming up first thing in the morning.

You are forgiven for enjoying a chuckle at my expense. In fact, go ahead and laugh out loud. "Mr. Plan Ahead" didn't plan ahead.

Excuses offered themselves as defenses to protect me from my foolishness and to proclaim my innocence.

After sorting through those which were most reasonable and likely to gain a measure of sympathy, I chose instead to let the chips fall where they may.

I did the best I could to fulfill my obligation without the pretense of being distracted by bigger issues.

I didn't need an excuse. I needed to be honest with myself, with God, and with anyone who asked. Everything worked out fine.

My last-minute shuffle filled the gaps. It worked out this time, but it doesn't always pan out that way. It was a good time to refocus on the right time and procedure.

Some lessons require regular repetition to truly sink in. Here's hoping I don't have to repeat this one.

Good planning and procedures solve many problems before they start. Trust me, a person sleeps much better at night when they know they are well-prepared for their responsibilities first thing the next morning.

Consider events ahead of you.

• When will you list the steps to get you through the process successfully?
• Who will help you anticipate those things you often overlook?
• How will you keep track of who is doing what, when, and how much you can reasonably expect to spend?
• Where will you keep this information so that it is easily retrievable and helpful to everyone involved in the project?

On those rare occasions when you do fall short, what is your process for cleaning up your messes?

I slept better when I owned my failure and stopped looking for excuses. Instead, I listed my reasons and began thinking about Next Time.

Now, please pardon me as I go take care of these other two projects I forgot about. Oops.

Consider settting aside time every day for advance planning and proper procedures.

Our Father, thank You for the wisdom of Solomon regarding planning and procedures. Empower me to live these lessons. Direct me around those things that so easily distract me. Keep me far from excuses. I want to live a responsible life. Amen.

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David Bowman, (DMin, PCC) is the Executive Director of Tarrant Baptist Association in Fort Worth, Texas. He also serves as a Multiplying Trainer for Future Church Co. Learn More »

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