Project 2717

The morning air is only slightly chilled, but it should be a warm day. The glass on the Montana is frosted with moisture. I put my laptop and lunch in the backseat, the iPad comes with me to the front.

I start the car and open a new log in Evernote, a note taking application. I don't go back in time to note warming coffee or doing Bible study or running dailies with Shelly, all of which I did before I left. I note the time and write, "Drive to work and James call"

This is my regular routine.

I dial with some nervousness. I didn't write the section in the book I was supposed to yesterday, an item I have asked James to hold me accountable. Additionally, I sent him a text to do a quick check yesterday and the answers were not as direct as I would normally like. I prepare my questions. I prepare to encourage him. I prepare to say I failed.

In case it is not clear, I don't like this. I would rather talk about a podcast, or TV show, or gaming, but this is important. He is not going to be looking to beat me up, or criticize. James is there to remind me of the things I want to accomplish and help me stick to getting it done. This is the same thing I do for him. We are replacing our private failures with shared successes.

Because this is an accountability partnership, I can't share with you the details of our call. I told him I dropped the ball and he listened. I asked him the questions and got down to the details. Together we planned on how to do better. The uncomfortableness washed away and we used the failures of the weekend to make changes. I hang up ready to write. I have been sharpened.

(ESV) Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

I think it would be fair to say this verse has been a driving factor for my life for several months. My morning call is one of four sharpenings I will have today. I have grown to realize that I, and most people I know, fail at things they want to do. They do this in the name of privacy. It saddens me a little. So, I'm working to change this.

I don't know how often, but periodically I will be posting on here sections or snippets of a book I've been working on; the same one I dropped the ball on this weekend. It is called Project 2717 (right now) and is written with the intent of helping people build relationships to break out of the failing cycle. I know for some of you this might not be what you are here for, but my hope is to show you how 2717 has impacted me and in turn might help some of you.