I've Made My List and I've Checked it Twice

A line from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" song. Even Santa makes lists. I'm there! I admit it. Should have been there long before now when I forgot this or that at the grocery store or in the meal preparation for family or friend get-together. Oh, yes! I've been the one that prepared a lovely meal and then when the meal was over, realized I left a salad or another item in the refrigerator instead of serving it.

Yes, I make "to do" lists and I'm proud of it! I'm filled with a sense of accomplishment as I check off each "to do" item. Last week, my "to do's" included getting my home ready for the family coming in, getting the pantry and fridge stocked with food, getting my baking done, preparing all the dishes for the meals (I make a list of each item and check it off once it’s prepared), squeezing in my annual family photo -- even though we had to do it inside because outside it was pouring down rain.

There are a lot of "have to's" in my life. I have to pay bills. I have to respond to emails. I have to go to the grocery store. I have to put gas in my car. I have to wash my car. I have to clean my house. I have to eat. I have to pay taxes.

It’s interesting to look at my "have to" list, and the "get to" list. My "get to" list are the things I "get to" do spontaneously AND intentionally, because I CAN, and because I really want to do those things. I GET TO write a daily blog that often keeps me up late into the wee hours of the morning -- seeking God for "the word" that just might make the difference in someone's day. I get to be a living-out-loud Nana, Mom, daughter, and friend -- no hold-backs on living with passion and purpose. I get to be free of having to have the house in perfect order when the grandkids are here -- the messes are nothing compared to the freedom of doing the things that matter most. Spending time together TODAY -- in this sweet, present time -- time that we'll never have like this day again.

Then I wonder where does my time with God fall? Into the "have to" list or the "get to" list? Do I consider my time in the Bible as a “have to” or a “get to?” And what about my worship and praise to Him? Actually, I do pray for God to create in me a "get to" holy desire to spend time with Him, in His Word, worshipping Him and praising Him for all He means to me. I want it to be the item on my to-do list that becomes so non-negotiable that it comes before everything else in my life. I want my life to be filled with “get to” moments and not “have to” tasks because I can see them all through the lens of blessing and answered prayer.

Aren't we so glad that we're not on God's "have to" relationship list, but we are on His most precious "get to" relationship list. He considers us His most cherished and beloved possessions. He even LISTS us on the palm of His hands – we are unforgettable to Him. Shouldn't He be unforgettable to us?

“….yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” Isaiah 49:16

Write the Vision and Make it Plain

When my daughter was single, she made quite the list (100 items to be exact) of all the qualities she was hoping for in a future husband. She wrote out her vision and she made it VERY plain. When Larry came along, initially, he was about 95 out of the 100. But, the longer they knew each other and fell in love, every single one of those items was checked off her list and he measured up to her greatest desires. I thank God every day for my amazing son!

Monday night I was visiting with a successful young woman. She has a good – no, great job with a title of influence plus the salary to match, but she is dissatisfied and completely unfulfilled. Her greatest desire is to be in a third world country, defending marginalized people, bringing aid and assistance to them and making a real difference in their lives. Not only her job, but she also desires a husband, a family and to personally fill cared for and loved. Seems like a tall order, right?

But, not so when the Bible gives us many promises to hold near and dear to our hearts. I gave her this scripture that has served our family well. Habakkuk 2:2 “Write the vision. Make it plain so that he who reads it, can run with it.” It’s writing out a vision (making a list) and giving it in prayer to God.

That scripture partly explains how to get into position for the vision to become reality. I told that young woman to write down every single desire she has for her future: her job and ministry, a husband, children, satisfaction, peace, security, etc. Then I went on to explain, “When we write our vision down, making it precise and plain, our angels who accompany us 24/7 can read it and run after it. Hebrews 1:14 says “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Our angels are dispatched to bring about the reality of that vision. The caveat is “your positioning”. Here is how to get into position for your dream job, your dream husband or wife, your dream children, and your peace and satisfaction. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: 1) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; 2) Lean not to your own understanding; 3) Acknowledge Him, and then, He will direct your paths.”

To write a vision without the counsel and wisdom of God is just an exercise of wants and wishes. It’s like treating God as a genie in a lamp or treating Him like a slot machine. But, to write a vision and make it plain while acknowledging the presence, the wisdom and the counsel of God and trusting Him in His perfect timing puts our angels on dispatch for bringing about what our list entails.

So make that list…..in pencil and then give God the pen to ensure the BEST-LAID plans are His plans!