Neverending List

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?