I am a list person. While I don’t actually write down every list, my head is filled with them. My husband even asks “What is on your list?” because he knows that the list tends to control my day.
When the mental list contains several cross-offs, I am satisfied.
When I accomplish little, I feel defeated and frustrated.
While I think this is normal for many women, I wonder if there is more to life than this measure of satisfaction.
Read what Jean Fleming wrote in her book A Mother’s Heart: A Look at Values, Vision, and Character for the Christian Mother about gaining satisfaction from a list:
I must constantly remind myself that though the visible, tangible world is so insistent and clamorous in its demands, I must not let it badger me into spending my life unwisely. The result of living by God’s value system isn’t immediately apparent like clean windows or a newly papered wall.
But years from now, by God’s grace, my time with God and my children will produce results brighter than sparkling windows. I must take the long view. I must choose to do those things which will give satisfaction as I view my life as a whole, rather than measure satisfaction at the end of each day.
One more time…
I must choose to do those things which will give satisfaction as I
view my life as a whole, rather than measure satisfaction at the end of
each day.
My husband repeatedly tells me, “Life is a journey, Heidi. Not a destination.” So true.
Today, let’s decide to take the long view and choose eternal satisfaction over the list of what we want to accomplish.
