Treasures beyond the To-Do list

 



The long weekend came and like most of them, it went in the blink of an eye. I started out with a mental list of all I wanted and needed to get done. Friday I spent working at my second job and Saturday I took Mike to dialysis in the morning, went grocery shopping, came home, put the groceries away, made Oscar’s food for the week, cut all the over growth of vines off my front deck and pruned the raspberry bushes. Then I went and picked up my step father to get him out of the house and went back to pick Mike up and bring him home from dialysis. Sunday I washed a few windows, refilled the bird feeders, took down and washed my kitchen curtains, reorganized our canned goods and set up my table in my craft room to get ready to start crafting for the upcoming fairs. Today I went to Walmart to fill up some water jugs (our water sucks) and picked up a few other things. At home, I got out the saw and cut a few pieces of wood in prep for the upcoming crafts. Put together a new over the sink dish rack, cleaned and reorganized the kitchen counter. So yes, I did check off a few of the boxes on my mental list, but not everything. The list is shorter, but not complete and it’s back to work tomorrow.

Now I’m taking a little break, sitting here thinking of all I could still do to accomplish more on my list. But in between the to do list and the half finished projects, there were pauses, little moments spent with Mike. Just sitting in our chairs, listening to tunes or sharing videos and reels, watching the birds come and go from the feeder in the window. Mike’s chronic illness and pain has changed so much about our lives, including how we spend our time. The truth is, no matter how much work is left undone, sitting with him laughing together or crying through a song whose lyrics hit too close to home, matters far more than the check marks on my list. The undone list will wait, love and presence cannot.

Scripture reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3 that “there is a time for everything, and a season for everything under the heavens.” This weekend, I’m reminded that sometimes the most important “work” isn’t what gets crossed off a to do list, but the love and time we pour into each other in the time we’re given.

Tomorrow means back to work, back to busy routines, and back to demands that never seem to end. But tonight I have the quiet comfort of knowing that although not everything was accomplished, the things that matter most, the moments of connection, and quality time together were not wasted, and that is enough.

Lord, thank you for the gift of time, even when it feels too short. Help me to see beyond my unfinished projects and notice the blessings in the simple moments. Teach me to treasure the people you’ve put in my life, especially Mike and to cherish each day we are given together.

Maybe next weekend, I will find time to spend with my other treasured gifts, my kids (including their partners) and my beautiful grandchildren. 


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