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Day 5 – To-Do Lists
by Lt. Betsy Clark
My favorite way to organize my to-do list is writing everything down on a white board. There is something therapeutic in writing it up on the wall and erasing it when it’s finished! Plus, I get to see my list in a rainbow of color, because obviously I went and bought the jumbo pack of markers. Color coded lists of organization = workplace bliss. I love my white board.
As you may have guessed, it’s easy for me to get caught up in the to-do’s of life, especially with my amazing technicolor white board. And I will admit that sometimes I try to put my time with others in my to-do list. Spend time with the Home League? Check. Listen to my friend complain about the terrible day at work? Check. Put up with incessant, non-stop questions from the kids? Check. Instead of being present, listening and connecting with others, I just put in my time so I can get it off my list.
But what would happen if we really invested in the lives of the people around us? What if they stopped being items on our to-do list, but became our everyday offering? When we surrender every interaction we have throughout the day to God, asking Him to help us be present and to see and hear people through His eyes, our relationships are transformed. We begin to see the Home League ladies as mentors and friends. The complaints from a friend turn into moments of vulnerability and healing. The non-stop questions from kids become opportunities for learning and fun.
Life is full of to-do’s. But true, sacrificial, everyday-offering living comes when we are willing to put our lists aside to really invest in the lives of others.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Thoughts to Ponder:
Who in your life could you invest in?
What does Betsy’s experience tell you about Jesus?
