I’m a “to do” list kind of guy. I like “to do” lists… most of the time, anyway. I like them when I actually get things done that I can cross off my list. That feels good. I have to confess sometimes I put things on my list I have already done that day just so I can have one more thing crossed off to make me feel better about my day.
I don’t like “to do” lists when they have things on them I keep pushing off to the next day. I really don’t like them when there’s something on my “to do” list that I can’t do. It’s just not in my power to get it done, because if I could, I would. Not that I struggle with control issues or anything, just saying because I know that’s true for some people.
So, God gave me a solution- it’s nothing new, just a new way to hang onto it and apply it. It’s a variation off of the Serenity Prayer. It goes like this.
Every day I make two lists.
The first one is my “to do” list.
I write down everything I need to do, want to do, and can’t lazily hope someone will do for me. It’s my stuff, it’s on me, and I just need to buck up and do it.
The second list is my “to You” list.
EVERYTHING that won’t fit on my “to do” list because it’s beyond my ability to make it happen goes on that “to You” list. Then I pray, “God, give me the energy and desire to do the things on my ‘to do’ list, and trust the rest to You.”
So there. You might want to give it a try. I find it gives me peace and purpose. Might work for you too.
Rev. Greg Griffin is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor and Forgiveness Coach in private practice in Marietta, GA. His specialty is relationship repair and rescue- helping partners, spouses, and parents and their adolescents. He’s also the author of Dungeon Times Survival Guide, and Vital Faith.