List

From a young age, we are encouraged to make list, perhaps it starts even before we are born as our parents sit anxiously sorting through names in hopes of finding the perfect one…should you be named after an aunt, an uncle, Grandma or that old college roommate? Would a name that sounds sophisticated be the best choice? What about something different? Do we spell is Sydney or Sydneigh? Does it even really matter???

Those same types of lists follow us into childhood. Perhaps you were handed the Sears Catalog when you were younger to create the perfect Christmas List. Or you and your grandchildren excitedly look through the Target “Big Book” each year recording each toy, gadget and wish imaginable to the young mind. Then comes birthdays. What would you like? Mom says “make me a list”. And once again our mind races with excitement as our greatest desires are manifest onto a sheet of paper.

Later as we move into adulthood, we begin to use list for things such as groceries, things to do, people to invite or not invite to that special event. We create Bucket List and dream of all the things we want to do before we hit a certain age of milestone. Grand Canyon? Check. Get married? Check. Have a baby? Check.

The need to check things off is ingrained in us. It provides a sense of accomplishment. It acknowledges the work and effort we have put into things. It keeps us organized and breaks up the chaos. But what if we quit checking off boxes and living a life based on accomplishments? What if the list we wrote were those of gratitude for the things that have been given to us rather than a longing for the things we want? What if we took away the Sunday School answers of God, my salvation, and my family and truly looked inside ourselves? What then would we be grateful for??

Today and everday, I am thankful for:

1. My Tuesday Morning Women’s Circle. These women love, encourage, build me up and push me to be a better person. They see the real me and love me despite it.
2. Second Chances. My life has not always been beautiful, it has been downright messy at times. There are times, places and people that I do not deserve forgiveness from but thru God’s grace it has been granted to me and healing, restoration and growth have been possible.
3. Music. A simple song can make or break my mood. It can offer comfort or evoke anger. It can bring peace and calmness amid a raging storm. Other times it offers reminders of love, forgiveness, and hope.

I leave you today with a single thought: where in your life is the need to check off a box greater than the need to be thankful?