In Other Words: Lists

“We leave something incomplete everyday, whether it’s an area of housework, school, work, friendship, ministry ~ because we are finite.”

Edith Schaeffer
~ The Hidden Art of Homemaking~

S

o, how are you doing on your New’s Years Resolution list, your Bible reading list, the dreaded spring cleaning checklist, the homeschool catch-up corrections list, “Books to Read” list or maybe just your daily “To Do” list?  Do you lay in bed in the morning, making mental notes of what you want to accomplish?  And then at night do you do the same, going over those lists, recalling all the things that never were tackled, or possibly hardly anything on those lists?

As I think of the lists I make, be it mental or written down, I wonder how often these are “my lists” and are not “God’s lists”.  I wonder if it’s why God allows certain things to happen in our lives for Him to say, “Be still, and know I am God.”  I had plans today.  I’ve been working on making curtains for my bedroom for over a week now.  The sunshine is the alarm clock for our baby and when the sun’s peeking out, so is he out of his crib (and I am not a morning person!)  I was so blessed to find just the perfect material at Walmart for only $1 a yard, making the the cost of it only $3 (having to spend more on curtain rods than the material!).  But, it was on the top of my mental list to get this done TODAY.  I did get one set done, but a sick child prevented me from getting the other set done.

So, instead, I sat with her, cuddling her, reading books, taking her temperature numerous times, and making sure she drank several juice boxes.  Then another younger daughter was jealous of the time I spent with her older sibling,  and told me “you don’t love me cuz you won’t give me a juice box.”  So this pouty daughter had to have some extra lovins’ as well, and reassured that mama loves her (despite still not getting a juice box!) 

Then my husband and I went for a quick errand run (so I could get home and finish those curtains) but instead talked to a friend for quite some time who was mislead about Christianity and “religious” people who failed her.  And here I am now finishing up my writing for Tuesday’s blog, and “my” list is incomplete.  But I wonder, did I accomplish what God wanted me to?

I can have many things I want to do, from numerous craft things to reading books to even numerous Bible studies or Bible study podcasts that I like to listen to.  I make my lists, but often God weeds them.  It could be that book really does not need to be read now, that podcast though there is nothing wrong with it, God has something MORE encouraging for me, and those crafts . . . they will be there later.  A growing child needs me, my husband may need me to take care of business calls that relieves stress from him, a new hormonal mom may need my listening ear and encouragement that she is normal!

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 
Isaiah 55:8-9

I would rather have my lists ordained from an infinite God, rather than from me, the finite one.  Wouldn’t you?

~

This week, Lori is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” at her site, All You Have To Give. Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote.
Be blessed.

~ by Loni on March 11, 2008.