The List Made For Us

We make lists to remind us of what we need to buy and things we need to do.  Some days, the list just does not get completed.  We run out of time or get distracted; sometimes we set unrealistic goals for ourselves and expect too much out of the time we are given.  We have a few choices in these cases.  We can pick that list up tomorrow and finish it.  We can prioritize to make sure the most important things are done.  Or, we can get frustrated, crumble that list up in a ball, and curse at it while we throw it away.  My experience with lists have at one time or another taken each of these routes.  My favorite list is my grocery list.  I am completely food motivated, so I enjoy writing out all the items and checking them off when they reach my shopping cart.  Not all lists are this easy to complete, and the hardest are the lists we do no write for ourselves.

I believe in God.  A higher power that while allowing us to have free will to make our own decisions still has total control over what is going to happen every minute of our lives.  This Presence brings me peace and reminds me that we each have a list that is written for us.  Everyone has a list of things they are to accomplish while they are here.  When their list is complete, God does not crumple them up and toss them away.  He smiles and says, "Awesome!  I finished another one!"  Some people have very long lists that may take 99 years to finish.  Others, although not as lengthy, have important things to do in the short amount of time they are here.  We are so used to making our own lists and figuring out how long it will take to complete all our tasks.  What we forget is that the list made for us is a secret:  we do not always know what is on it or how long we have to complete it.

It may seem unfair to think we have a, "secret list," to do.  How can we know how to complete it when we do not even know what is on it?  That is when it is important to prioritize.  The list made for us is written by God, so it is not that hard to figure out what might be on our, "To Do," list:

1. Love and respect your parents
2. Make your siblings your friends
3. Teach your children #1 and #2
4. Forgive others
5. Be kind to people and make them smile
6. Bring people together in the name of love, family, prayer, and laughter

Most of the time, we make lists of the things we have not yet accomplished in our lives.  Maybe you want to make sure you climb a mountain, run a marathon, or skydive before your time is up.  The goals on the list made for us may not seem as exciting.  They may not bring prestige or place a medal around our neck.  But, what good are those types of accomplishments if there is no one cheering for you?  Prioritize the things that are truly important because those are the ones that God is checking off your list. 

This week, two people I know passed away.  I do not know if they could have been any more different.  One was a 99 year-old woman whom had played the role of wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse, and matriarch to an amazing family.  She was respected and loved, and I have no doubt her loved ones will make sure her memory lives on.  The second was a 45 year-old man whom had played the role of husband, father, brother, son, friend, and free spirit.  He had the most amazing smile (which he got from his mom) and that little devilish glimmer in his eye (which came from his dad).  Both of these people, although so different, had finished their lists.  God was so happy to be able to mark off their lists knowing they had accomplished what they were supposed to do.  Each had loved, laughed, taught their children the importance of family, and with their passing, will once again bring others together in the name of love, family, prayer, and laughter.  Do not feel sad about the things they did not get to accomplish.  Be joyous in knowing they did all they were supposed to do.



Dedicated to Agnes Reese and Jim Mandabach.  May you meet in heaven and smile upon those whom still love you.