Do you find that people are consistently and constantly reminding you to do something which you’ve agreed to do? Do you write these people off as nags? Be very careful! Perhaps you need to take the Papa J’s Character Inventory.

DEPENDABILITY is one of the most important facets of Christian Character one can have. What does “dependability” mean? Anybody can look it up in a dictionary. I’d rather describe than define a dependable person.

Dependable people show up when they say they will…on time…except in extreme circumstances – and even then, they call, unless all their fingers and toes are broken. Dependable people follow thru on promises they make. They don’t break their word unless a genuine emergency arises.

Dependable people are nice to know because they don’t need follow-up phone calls in order to keep a promise or a commitment. If they say they’ll do it, they’ll do it. One can treat their word like money in the bank.

Dependable people don’t need a lot of direction or coaching in order to get the job done properly. If one has developed dependability, one has usually developed compatible companion character traits as well. A dependable person generally has developed good thinking processes that allow them to follow thru and figure out “how” to get the job done that’s assigned to them. They’ve usually figured out some pretty efficient ways to get things done, too.

Dependable people don’t need to be bribed or rewarded. They follow thru, keep their word, keep their appointments for the sheer joy of fulfilling their own strength of character. This continuous attention to dependability enhances their character even more. Dependable people are generally on-time and fully equipped to do what’s necessary (they bring all their tools, notes, etc.).

A good friend recently installed a new steel door on our home. When he showed up, he had everything he needed to do the job. What a treat. We’ve dealt with “handy” people before who spent half their allotted time running back home for a screw, heading for the hardware store for glue, etc.

Another friend put three shelves up in my one and only office (youngest child’s former bedroom!) He wore his tool belt when he came in. I’m always fascinated by tool belts! From the time he started until he finished, he was poetry in motion. No wasted movements. He accomplished in an hour what would have taken me four days and forty trips to the neighborhood hardware store.

What can people do who need help in this area? Make lists (and don’t lose them). Begin, on a given day, committing to follow thru on each promise made. See dependability as both a goal and a process. The goal is to become as totally dependable as humanly possible. The process consists of the day-to-day progress they make fulfilling that goal. They must purpose not to let a single promise go unkept. They must unlearn their bad habits and learn good habits.

One of the hindrances to developing dependability is the inability to say “no” without feeling guilty. Rather than say “no” to some things and risk hurting someone’s feelings, they over-commit by constantly saying “yes” to everything. Some people can’t say “no” because their ego demands that they be all things to all people. Folks will say “yes” to many things, knowing inside they can’t possibly fulfill all they circumstances to which they’ve said “yes”.

The time to act dependably is when confronted with a request or choice – during the decision-making process. Better we say “no” right then than feel later that we’ve allowed someone to take advantage of us, pressure us or otherwise hornswoggle us. Much better to say “no” at that time, even tho it leaves someone feeling let down, than to agree and then fail to follow thru.

What Are The Life Lessons In This?

• Not many of us are born with this particular character trait called “dependability”.
• Making wise choices doesn’t come naturally to us.
• Following thru on the wise choices we make is a learned skill.
• We can improve, but only by consistently behaving in a dependable manner.
• Don’t give up. It’s not easy. If it were easy, everybody would be doing it!

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