My name is Kathy Doremus and I’m addicted to lists.
There – I’ve made my confession. Not
only am I a prolific list maker, I also find great satisfaction in crossing
things off those lists. I can’t stand it
when I complete a task only to discover that I totally forgot to put it on my
list. I’m not sure what this says about
me (and please don’t inform me if you have an answer) but on occasion I have
even been known to write something down after the fact simply so I can experience the pleasure of crossing it off.
My main list is the daily “to do” list that sits on my desk encased in its
brown leather cover. Most days, this list becomes quite lengthy, so I have developed a bit of a system to help me stay motivated. I call it the reward
system. Say, for example, I vacuum the downstairs, sweep the floor and put away the laundry – then I might reward myself by propping up my feet and reading a couple of chapters in a good book. Or perhaps I finish the grocery shopping (a dreaded to do list item) and pay the bills – I might reward myself by sitting in a rocker on the deck and sipping a cup of coffee. I must say that I highly recommend this system.
I’ll also go ahead and admit that I don’t just have one type of list; in fact,
I have several varieties. I’m sure this is true for every good list maker. Not
only do I have my list of what needs doing today, I also have an ongoing list
of projects waiting to be completed, a list of birthday cards that need to be
purchased, a list of prayer requests that others have passed my way, a list of
my husband’s upcoming travel dates, a list of doctor visits for the current
year, a list of bills needing to be paid, a grocery list that hangs on the side
of the refrigerator just below the Wall Mart list, a list of books I would like
to read, and a list….well, you get the picture.
Now, most of the time, these miscellaneous lists help save my sanity. My old gray cells just ain’t what they used to be, so the lists serve as an aid to my less than reliable memory. They help me save time (so I don’t wander the store aisles aimlessly, unless of course I forget my list!), they help me save money (I try not to buy things that aren’t on the list!), and they help me save relationships (forgetting a gift for your mother-in-law’s birthday is not a good idea!).
Although lists are typically a good thing in my life, one danger for a list-aholic such as I is the temptation to relegate my relationship with God into the list making mentality.
Go to church – check.
Read my Bible – check.
Serve in some way – check.
If I drift into this mindset, then Christianity becomes a to-do list. Rules begin to replace relationship and duty takes the place of delight. I have to guard against this. I don’t want spending time with God to be something that I “cross off my list.” I want to enjoy God and draw near to Him because I desire more of Him. I don’t want to listen to God and respond in obedience simply because I am suppose to, I want to do so because it is the genuine desire of my heart.
So, while I am and always will be addicted to my lists, I must be watchful lest
they become destructive to my walk with God.
My hope is that the lists don’t hinder me, but rather help me save time
and energy which I can then devote to knowing God more deeply.
Okay – now I’m off to clean the kitchen so I can treat myself to a Dove’s dark
chocolate. Trust me – the reward system really does work!
