The nonfiction group met this past Monday at my home and we talked, talked, talked! We discussed writing topics, we critiqued stories that members had brought and shared writing information we had learned. We didn't write a single word. And that’s okay. Sometimes a detour from the agenda is what we need.
This makes me think of how God changes our "agenda." I am a Type A personality and I live by my lists and my calendar. Before the holidays arrive, I'm planning and writing menus, writing out shopping lists, I make a list of serving dishes to be used and what food will be served in what dish, the Christmas card list, the Christmas gift list. You name a holiday list, and I can guarantee I either use said list now or have used it in the past.
My every day is usually controlled by my to-do lists both at work and at home. I keep a "rolling to-do" list that is broken down further into tasks, phone calls to make, computer work and other.
And because I'm Type A, I go absolutely nuts when I'm pulled away from my list(s) to do something that is not on said lists. God excels in pulling me away. Because I am focused and “list-driven” there have been times when God had to use major, attention-grabbing methods to get my eyes off of the task at hand and back on Him. After several of these instances, it occurred to me that God didn’t care whether or not I had a list. He cared about whether or not I was doing His will at that moment.
By the time she finished talking, I was going into withdrawal. Stop using lists? No calendar? I began to hyperventilate. Okay. Easy girl. Deeeep breath. Deeeep breath. In and out. There you go. All better, now? Just because she schedules her day that way, doesn’t mean I have to do it the same way. Does it?
After the ladies left, I thought back over the conversation. If I agree with Psalm 118:24 that states “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it,” and I do agree with it, it makes sense to also acknowledge Psalm 31:15a “My times are in your hands.” Am I so ignorant to think that relying on God (rather than lists) to order my day would cause me to have an unsuccessful day? God has my (and your) best interests at heart. It is humanly impossible for me to complete what’s on my to-do list every day. “But with God all things are possible.” Does that mean he’ll help me conquer my to-do list every day? No. It means that I will accomplish that which He directs me to do.
I have challenged myself that I will do this for the next 30 days. Every morning for the next 30 days, before I start my day, I will ask God what he wants me to do first. And I’ll do that first; when that is completed, I’ll ask him what’s next.
If you're interested in joining me in this challenge, leave me a comment. We can all cheer each other on!
Blessings!!
3 comments:
Thanks for this post! I am a list maker, at least in my head. I love the idea of praying and asking God to direct my "to do's". I am in for the next 30 days...it will be exciting to see where He leads. Thanks again!
A great post, Edwina. I tend to make lists when I have so much to do that it all gets jumbled in my mind--like lately. Asking God what He wants me to do is a better idea.
Thanks for stopping by Kim and Sandi. I'll hopefully be writing a blog today to let you know of my progress - or lack thereof. ;-0
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