Groceries bought.  Check.  Laundry folded. Check.  Garden watered.  Check.  Dishes clean and put away.  Check.  Carpets vauummed and linoleum mopped.  Ummm… no check… I didn’t get to that…

Do you ever feel like life is just a series of to do lists?  I know I do. 

I am very much a list person.  To do lists, to buy lists, wish lists, fix it lists, contact lists… you name it, I’ve probably made list of it. 

And when I get to check something off, oh the joy!  The sense of accomplishment!

But when I look at my lists and see so much left unattended to, oh the how heavy the burden.  And when I do get to check a few things off, sometimes the joy is diminished by how much is left.  Even when a list is completely checked off, it’s not long before another list begins.

Neverending lists.

Even if I haven’t made a physical list, I always seem to have one in my head. 

I can be sitting at work and an errand I have to run will occur to me.  I can be on the phone with a friend and see the dishes piled up.  I can be watching a movie and notice the clutter that needs tidying up.  I can be at the grocery store and realize I’d better email somebody soon about something.

Sound familiar? 

Sometimes I use the excuse that because I am a woman that’s the way my brain works.  It’s just always going all over the place and I cannot help it.  I can’t compartmentalize like a man can.

But while that may be true, that doesn’t mean I have to give in to it.  I have a choice about whether I change my attitude.

Jesus gave very practical advice when he said, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NASB)

When I apply this to my endless lists, I think of Jesus telling me, “Do not constantly worry about every single item on your to do list.  It does not have to all be taken care of now.  Do what you can for the moment and take care of the rest another day.”

Of course I naturally want to reply with “But I have to worry about it or it won’t get done!  I cannot relax until it is finished!”

But the thing is, it’s never going to be all done.  It’s neverending.  The dishes are clean, then they get used and have to be washed again.  The laundry gets folded, gets worn and dirty, and has to be thrown in the wash and folded again.  The fridge and pantry get emptied of food and need to be restocked again.  On and on and on…

And that is why I have to shift my attitude from, “I can relax when its done” to “I will get done what I can, when I can, and give myself a chance to rest in between.”

I am not advocating laziness or irresponsibility by any means.  But it is important to focus on what is priority and have realistic expectations of what can be completed, and to relax instead of fretting about everything left undone.  And enjoy that sense of accomplishment for the things that do get done.

More energy should be put into a different kind of neverending list.  A list of blessings.  A list of God’s mercies.  When I do that, everything else falls into perspective.  I have a better frame of mind, and I can do the things on my other lists with a positive attitude.

So are you ready to give yourself a break and start compiling your blessings and mercies list?

Congratulations!  You are reading my very first blog post on this site!  What an honor, huh?

Okay, I will admit that’s a bit overdramatic… just a tad… a wee bit… I mean it’s not like I’m famous, right?

Ahem.  Anyway…

So as this is my first post it’s only proper that I share my life story, right?  Here goes:

It all started in a hospital in North Dakota one sunny day…

Oh sorry, you don’t want my whole life story?  Yeah, I suppose that is rather an overload of info.  I shall just stick to the basics.  Well, I’ll try.  I do tend to ramble, go on rabbit trails, digress and diverge… yadayada so on so forth.

Okay, to be more serious, I am a woman who has battled depression and anxiety and by God’s grace come through stronger.  I’ve gained some wisdom but have much farther to go, learned from some mistakes and repeated too many, faltered and fallen, risen and pressed on.  I hope to make the most of what God has given me and use that to encourage and help others. 

As it says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  (NASB)

I don’t know about you but I’ve had many opportunities to experience the truth of this verse.  And God has proven faithful time and again. 

Of course I am not always good about turning to Him right away.  Even though it really is nonsensical not to reach out to the only one who fully understands and who is fully capable, too often I try to figure it out myself, or simply fall into despair. 

Then when I finally wisen up, let go and let God have it, I have peace and comfort.  Circumstances may not change immediately, but that’s okay, because I am in God’s hands.

And when I have passed through the storm and can stand steady again, I can reach out to others who are having similar experiences and give them hope. 

And that brings me to the reason for this blog.

Too often I get caught up with the stuff of life, and I forget what is really important.  Too often I look only to myself to find solutions.  Too often I give up.  Too often my view is rather narrow.

I want to challenge myself to seek beyond that.  Look up, out, all around.  I want to be seeking beyond, and seeing the King, Jesus. 

And I would like to challenge and encourage others to do the same.

Who’s with me?

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33