Are you one of those gals who keeps to-do lists? If so, you’re one of the smart one’s. You understand there’s a time and a season for everything, so sayeth the Lord in Ecclesiastes. Unfortunately, Walmart and Target didn’t get the memo. Their Christmas displays have been out since August.
I digress.
I know for me, one way to stay encouraged during the holiday season is to focus on one tiny thing at a time. If I look ahead at all there is to accomplish and all the great ideas I’d love to complete, the desire to crawl back to bed is overwhelming.
Today, I’d like you to open up a Word doc or get out a legal pad and divide your page into two columns or sections. Title one column; Thanksgiving Must Dos and the second column Thanksgiving Like To Dos. Then begin to write all the tasks you need to accomplish in the next six days. Be as specific as you can.
Things like grocery shop for a turkey and fixings, or clean bathrooms before company arrives– those will be MUST-DOs. Those things that would be great to accomplish but the whole free world won’t fall apart if not completed should go in your LIKE TO DOs column. Things like; make tiny Pilgrim-place cards for each seat or a Mayflower centerpiece out of toothpicks. (We MUST keep Pinterest addictions reigned in, ladies!).
Guess what you’re going to do with that list? You’re going to put it by your Bible/Prayer Journal/Daily Devotions, that special place you sit with the Lord each day. Wherever it needs to be on your radar first thing each day. You and Him are going to tackle this together.
Prayer is a fundamental peace-maker in the life of a believer. Do you need peace about all you listed? Ask God each day to help you decide which things need to be done and which things can be done as a bonus. Cast that list of concerns at His feet –casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1Peter 5:7) Congratulations, you’ve just turned a to-do list into a holy list.
Do you want to enjoy peace and be encouraged these next few days? Remember that the Lord is a God of preparation and order. He spent seven miraculous days working on his holy to-do list by creating a world we could inhabit, didn’t He?
What better way to accomplish what needs to be done then by laying your list at the foot of the cross?
“Prayer is a fundamental peace-maker in the life of a believer.” Amen! I like the idea of making the list and placing it in my Bible, putting it before the Lord each day. Thanks, friend.
I adore you Elaine. You’re such a precious encourager. xo