To Do List
It’s 3:19pm. My intention after church was to put on my pjs and sit on the couch with a cup of tea and just let Pinterest have its way with me. Well, I made it into my pajamas by 11am but the tea didn’t happen until 3:10pm. And Pinterest, it just may be a thing that doesn’t get checked off my very short “to do” list today.
When I came home, I had to put together fruit salad for the week because, when I do, everyone seems to get their fill of fruit. I can purchase the same fruit and 50% of it will remain in the fridge at the end of the week, untouched. However, when I take the time to carefully select the ingredients and mix them with just the right amount of lime juice and honey, the bowl seems to have more appeal.
Then I remembered it was Sunday — and I needed to pack my husband’s lunch for tomorrow. I also like to make chicken salad and put snacks in baggies for a quick grab throughout the week. Lunches seem so much better when I take the time to put some things together in advance rather than throwing it together last minute. I know if he were to pack his own lunch, he wouldn’t choose as healthy or put as much thought into it.
Ah, then there was the laundry. Our household has managed quite well with each individual handling their own. It was an unspoken thing that just happened one day. No complaints here, except when it’s time for me to fold my own. The daunting task causes me to sigh — every, single time. But it’s quick and painless. I washed a load and put 2 away today…yes, one was from a couple days ago that I hid in the closet for just this occasion — the day I was going to “rest”.
The dog threw up this morning so I made him boiled chicken and rice at 4:30am, reheating some about lunchtime to be sure he was getting some food in him. Now he’s peacefully sleeping on the couch after his hefty helping, always a good company when you need him to be (and even when you don’t).
Had to catch up on the dishes from packing lunches and meal prepping for the week because who wants to start dinner with a full sink of dirty dishes? Oh yeah…dinner…that’s on the list too. Have to start that in about an hour…
So much for enjoying my tea while Pinteresting comfortably on the couch…
All these thoughts ran through my head as I finally sat down to enjoy a cup of tea. Many moons ago, I might have been a little bitter about missing the “me” time and just not having things go as planned. “To do” lists left undone used to cause me grief. I would put too much stuff on the piece of paper, many things that a normal person couldn’t accomplish in several days, let alone in the few hours that I allowed myself in an afternoon.
I pondered my list of three things — pjs, tea, Pinterest — and actually felt guilty for even worrying about this incomplete list. Looking at all I was able to accomplish, things that I need not put on the list, things I do because I’m a wife and a mom, things I do because I want to be an example, because I want to show my family I love them….these things are top priority and sometimes, just need to come before the list of countless other things I want to do for yours truly.
I think about the times I want things my way, which is almost all the time, and realized my way isn’t necessarily the only way. In many situations, my way only seems like the best way. Oh how I pray about this often…and I mean OFTEN!
It’s the next morning and I’ve been up since about 5:30a working on some projects for church, youth, and my family. I had high hopes of working out first thing and finishing this blog in an entirely different way but God had other plans.
I’m sitting here with a cat curled up next to my leg, a dog as close to my armpit as he can be — snoring loudly — and Christian music blaring in my headphones. The windows are open, although the air just turned on and I don’t care, I’m enjoying the crispness of it and of the candle I lit a couple hours ago.
My coffee went cold but that’s okay because I finished most of it over an hour ago. My bed is full of highlighters, papers, a devotional, notebook, and a computer, which sits atop by lap.
Now that you have the full picture, you might also need to know that I’m in no way presentable but I’m in every way comfortable. You see, the way things could have been had I had it my way would have been much different. I’ve reached out to God on several occasions for Him to lead my days and very rarely have I actually let Him.
Yesterday after church and this morning, He’s in the lead and I’m quite enjoying it. I’m not overwhelmed. I haven’t forgotten anything [yet] and I am fully prepared to just roll with whatever comes next.
Does that mean I won’t have a freakout moment if something suddenly tries to take my joy? Nope. I just might. But you know what? My God is bigger, stronger, and IN CHARGE. I’ll get through it.
So what are YOU going to do about it? That thing that has been bugging you? That list that is never-ending? That LIFE that doesn’t always leave room for the little things you’d like to do but always makes way for the things you need to do.
Let’s pretend you have nothing more than this day. That a moment in time like this very one is all you’ll have to get you through to the next catastrophe. You have this minute to summons God, allow Him into your day, breathe deeply, and set the tone for what is to come.
Try it. Try relying on God through each and every moment of your day. To do so you may need to get up a little early, adjust the music you’re listening to if it will help your mood, surround yourself with sights and smells that add to it all and just live. You are in a position to do something right where you are in every single roll you’ve been fortunate to be put into.
How about taking this second to thank God for all those things that pull you away from you and just do YOU!
One Moment for Another
