LIST MAKING AND FORGETTING SOMETHING IMPORTANT

READ: Psalm 90: 9-15

“Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.” Psalm 90:12 (The Living Bible)

I am a list maker! I have a list for each week, which I sub-divide into tasks for each day. Funny, isn’t it? Even though I am retired, I stay so busy most days that I feel I need a map to show me where I have been and where I should be going! My daily list is like a budget for my seemingly limited time – often I even rate the tasks in accordance with their perceived importance.

Recently, I came across some of my old lists and while I was examining them, an old story came to mind, no doubt an aphorism, of a wife, who after thirty years of marriage was ready to throw in the towel. She said, “I have had it living with you! You never tell me that you love me anymore.” Her husband replied, “I told you I loved you when we got married; if I change my mind I’ll let you know.” As I reflected on that old tale and looked over my lists, nowhere were there reminders: “Show

your wife you love her.” None of my lists included: “Let your children know you treasure them and that you are proud of them.” Neither did my lists remind me to put down my book and call a friend. Had I done these things without putting them on my list or had I neglected them altogether?

I still make lists; but I have learned that my lists don’t always include the most important activities for that day. Lists are for doing. People are for loving and I have come to more fully realize that most important times of my life are those when I take time “from doing” and devote time “to showing” my love for others.