I'm naturally not an organizer. Sure, I like to get things done and for my my life to be neat and clean. But I don't wake up every morning intuitively excited about my routine. I'm always looking for some small opportunity to arise to let me run off into the land of spontaneity.
But I've learned to make lists out of necessity. I realize that our home would probably cave in (literally) and our lives would be an undisciplined mess if there weren't some semblance of order. Though it's still not natural for me, I do appreciate the way it works and don't fight it any more.
But, I'm getting grumpy. We are seven weeks into the school year and I feel as though I am being ruled by the "List". Though I'm smiling, inside I'm beginning to feel the crunch of all the things that have to get done. And if they don't get completed I'll be even grumpier because the list will be even longer. Arg.
Currently, I'm going through a study with my youngest sister called, "The Excellent Wife", by Martha Peace. Marriage is in her near future.
Last night we studied a chapter which challenged us not to just take off sin but to put on godliness. On the way home as I was thinking about today and my mental "To Do" list I found myself getting grumpy yet again. It never goes away.
I've decided that I will start keeping a "To Be" list. I really want my life to count not because of what I do (or don't do), but because of who I am regardless.
So for today these are the things that I need to do:
-Prepare for my mother-in-law's birthday
-school with 4 children
-clean the bathrooms
-5 loads of laundry
-pay bills
-go to bed at a decent hour because I'm working at 6am
But today, In Christ, this is who I choose to be:
Not angry in my words or actions, but gentle.
Ephesians 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."
2 Samuel 22:35-37
He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your gentleness made me great.
You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip;
How about you? What's on your list today?
4 comments:
What a good idea to have a "to be" list. I'm going to add the concept to my "to think about" list (and yes, I really do have one!)
I enjoyed the Excellent Wife book, and have been meaning to re-read it. It's wonderful that you're able to do a study with your sister.
Oh, how I love this idea! I think that I will implement it, too! I fear it will be a long one, though - there are lots of things I need to be right now!
WOW! I am such a list girl - lists of projects, lists of to do, lists of errands.
I love this idea of list to be! we are not what we do, but who we are in Him. I loved this post.
Wow. I've never thought of making a to-be list. I feel just like you, only I'm just homeschooling three. But like you, I'm not actually organized, just like my house and my life (and everything else) to be neat and tidy. But I feel the mental burden, the mental stress all the time. It DOES never go away. I struggle so much with patience during the school day. I have prayed and prayed and see some improvement, but it's slow. I love the idea of making a list to remind me of the gentle, quiet person I want to be.
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