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

Probing and Examining

Day 64 of Photo Inspirations -- Probing and Examining
We are in the 2nd week of Lent – that time when we do a lot of introspection and examining our hearts and minds as we make our way to Easter.  However, based on this scripture:  “I, the LORD, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts” (Jeremiah 17:10), it would seem that it’s God who is doing the examining.
 
I’ll be honest with you, the last thing on my “to do” list is go to my doctor for an annual check-up. He does probing, examining, and a lot of other unpleasant tests to see what’s going on inside me.  In fact, today, I received my annual check-up reminder.  The reminder said, “As you know, regular checkups are important in maintaining good health.  Our records indicate your last exam was April 29, 2014. Please call our office to schedule an appointment.”  I shoved that reminder under the pile of mail.

But, I know I’ll relent, and I’ll make that call because I want to keep on top of any potential issues that could slow me down.

And the same is true for a heart and mind check-up.  God, the Master Examiner, is in the business of probing and examining – because He loves us so much and He wants us to maintain good spiritual health – and He wants to keep us on top of any potential issues that could slow us down from reaching our ultimate potential and purpose. He is all-knowing, so He carries a big hammer to bop us on the head to straighten us out – something like one of those Whack-a-Mole games?  Right?  Wrong!!   Actually, how reassuring it is to know that God already knows what we think and why we act and react the way we do.  He knows what's going on inside us. He knows our circumstances and He is even our greatest cheerleader – always encouraging us to keep going strong.

No, God doesn’t come at us with a big stick or a hammer to convince us to change our ways.  He tenderly and lovingly nudges us by revealing areas that need to be shored up.  He probes and shines His light on an area of weakness -- not to reveal weakness or flaws or mistakes, but does it so He can bring us into a closer and deeper relationship with Him.

Lent really is such a good time to invite Him to probe our minds and test our hearts.  God is so patient with us.  He is ever forgiving, extending his unmerited favor and grace on us.  All we have to do is open our heart to Him today.  He’ll handle all the clean-up and purifying process.  And, the best news is -- it’s PAIN-FREE, and the results are long-lasting!

I Want My Life to be Filled With "I Get To" Moments

I am one to make "to do" lists.  And 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, and getting my annual family photo taken.  I was able to check them all off.  

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 clean my house.  I have to eat.  I have to wash my car.  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 FB post that fills me with unabashed passion, 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 run daily because it makes me feel alive and energized.  

I get to be a silly, wild and wanting-to-live-out-loud with my grandkids like, yesterday, playing hide-n-go-seek and skipping rocks on water, playing Apples-to-Apples and anything else to be a "rockin'" Nana!   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 --

like have a sand-design competition -- and, yes, in Nana's house.  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 Word 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 His most precious "get to" relationship list.  He considers us His most cherished and beloved of all treasures.  Shouldn't we be living like that?