When you live with a chronic illness list the tasks you have done for the day to stay motivated. But what is the real list of things we should be doing?
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2).
I’m a checklist kind of person. Each night I write a wish list of things to accomplish the next day: Go to the post office. Stop at the bank. Get gas. Pay a bill. Make dinner. Call a sick friend. Start work on a devotional.
Getting started in the morning is difficult. My first accomplishment is getting out of bed. Often, I need my daily checklist to motivate me. I put on my glasses and grab my list of jobs from my night stand. That piece of paper becomes my wake-up call. Like a drill sergeant shouting, “Get out of that bed, soldier! Time to get moving. Up and at ‘em. Move! Move! Move!”
I don’t exactly snap to attention. Slowly, I begin working my way through the list. Sometimes I wind up doing something not on my list, like yesterday. Our dog scratched his ears, signaling the time to clean them. I added it to the list. Just so I could check it off.
My daily plans help me feel like I’ve accomplished something, validating the effort I put forth doing routine chores. Could I be so deliberate in following His Word as I am with tending to earthly responsibilities? What if I compiled a heavenly to-do list? To seek “things above.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 provides my list. Be patient and kind. Protect, trust, hope, and persevere. Do not be rude, self-seeking, proud, boastful, jealous, or easily angered. Quite a list! Written on paper. Etched in my mind. I begin my day with great intentions.
The review at the end of my day:
- Trust God for energy to do the errands and for His leading to draft a devotional — check.
- Refrain from being self-seeking while waiting in the line at the bank — uh-oh. I got impatient.
- Show kindness by calling a sick friend — check.
- Resist the temptation to feel jealous of others — oops! I felt envious: our balance in the savings reminded me we couldn’t take a summer vacation.
- Persevere through the day to complete my earthly tasks – check.
Once again, I add something to the list:
Ask God’s forgiveness for my impatience and jealousy — check.
Prayer: Dear Father, Help me focus my attention on things above more than on the demands of the day. I trust You to show me how to live this day for others and for Your kingdom. Looking for opportunities to share love and the gospel.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the Author:
Vicki understands special needs as a patient, parent, and professor. She has had multiple sclerosis since 1993. Her 31 year old son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She’s taught special education as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor. Through her online community she reaches out to other parents of children with special needs. http://theblogfrog.com/1505794
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Do you keep lists? What passage in scripture do you use as your heavenly to-do list?
Need some motivational music to tackle your list? Here is a short video with 3 motivational songs that may get you moving. If you cannot see the video in your email, click the title of the devotional to go to the web site to watch.
That’s a good idea for all of us … a to-do list that involves strengthening our character and fulfilling the Great Law of Love (finding ways to love God and others, Luke 10:27).
I did a project with my granddaughters this week. We filled in the fingers of a hand we drew with “Five ways I will show love this summer.” It helped us visualize what God wants us to do (our summer “to-do” list). Our “fingers” were all different. Mine were “worship, encouragement, friendship, prayer, and service.” I had to smile when one granddaughter’s “secret” finger was “relationships” ~ She whispered to me: “But that really means loving my annoying sister!” LOL.
Blessings to you today, Vicki and Lisa!
Thanks, Dawn. I think I want to be one of your granddaughters. You always have such fun activities with purpose! (another book??)
Thanks for the devotional about making lists. I also find that if I make lists of the things that I have accomplished during the day, feeling sorry for myself tends to lessen. I have vertigo, and I had another major attack last night. So, this morning my list is a little shorter. However, my time with the Lord became a crucial part of my day. Thanks again for the encouragement.
Your devotion took me through sooooooo many emotions today Vicki!! I literally LOL, sighed, felt grief & felt hope!!!
I used to be a lists person…..BIG time! Went through phases of feeling satisfaction of seeing a long list crossed off & a whiteboard list rubbed off, giving me a sense of space! LOL!! Now that I’m really ill I can’t manage a list. It is simply 1 little thing & 1 “big” thing each day……if energy allows! ie. Have a shower & fill the weekly tablet box!
I LOVE the idea of a spiritual list…..on my fingers to use Dawn’s idea! At first I thought I could at least “do” more then, but after reading your “review at the end of the day”…..I’m not so sure! LOL!! I’m certainly gonna give it a go……won’t get anywhere without the Lord’s help though! Lotsoluv Kerryn
Hi Dawn,
Wish I had that hand idea when I taught second graders! I’ll pass it along to my former grade-level partner who still teacher young children in a Christian school. Loved the idea…it made me miss our one and only granddaughter (seven hours drive away).
Blessings
Hi Susan,
Great point that feeling sorry for yourself tends to lessen when using a list…a deliberate RSVP saying, “Will not be attending the pity party.”
Sorry to hear about your attack last night. I said a special prayer for you today.
Dear Kerryn,
Like you, I used to have mammoth size to-do lists. I too have experienced grief over the old Vicki – what I used to be able to accomplish. Nowadays, I’m grateful when God helps me do several errands – in addition to making dinner for my husband. Depleted energy and weak arms lengthen the time between hair washing. Down to once a week now. On the bright side: I’m saving money on shampoo! The balder I get, the less of a problem it is!!!
I’m mindful more and more of a heavenly to-do list. Even if I accomplish one little thing on that list, it’s for His greater glory. He can turn it into a big thing!
Dear Father, multiply our widow’s mite of energy offered to You today.
AMEN! Lotsoluv Kerryn