DO WHAT MATTERS

I love lists. I make them all the time. I put everything I want to accomplish in one day on my list and probably a zillion other things on a list I'll do in the future. An old boyfriend of mine once made fun of me when he saw my to do list that had American Idol crossed off, like I had done it. I simply wanted to remember to watch the show and make time for it, so I had it on the list. The great thing about writing things down is that somehow, they happen. That's great and at times needed but what are we putting on our lists? Are they things that will make us truly happy if we complete them? (Aside from the satisfaction of crossing them off?;) I love listening to Brendon Bruchard. He's a motivational speaker who puts out great content. One of his videos that I heard a few weeks ago posed the question, "what would make you happy in 2015?" Hmmm, what would make me happy? Every time I thought of the question, it started to make me sad. “What would make you happy?” I started asking everyone I knew what would make them happy. I had one friend admit she was happy, which was awesome, others saying being debt free would make them happy, and all the while, I kept thinking about my future to do list, written in dry erase marker on my wall with all of my goals and tasks I have felt called to do. If I did everything on that list, would I be happy? Sadly, no. Sure, I might feel a sense of accomplishment but true happiness? Surely not. I was craving something more. Hearing my children giggle, that makes me happy. Things going smoothly, the way I imagined, that makes me happy. Neither of those things are ever on my to-do list. Tonight as I was typing the words "to-do" in my phone, I accidentally hit the "i" next to the "o" so it read "to-di." In a way, living out our to do lists can be a slow death. We're not really living when we're just crossing things off a list. I saw a quote the other day that read, "Every man dies but not every man lives." I want to live so I must carefully consider what I place on the list of things I want to accomplish on any given day. John 15:16-17 reads, "You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other." Those words resonate with me... "Lasting fruit." - I realize I'm still chasing what is temporary versus that which is eternal. "that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name" - I want to be filled with the fruits of the Spirit, the things you can't buy: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness & Self Control. "This is my command: Love each other" - I keep seeing my to do list boiling down to one thing ...love. All I need to focus on each day is LOVE. My family, my friends, the person behind me in the grocery store, the person who cuts me off in traffic...love them. We never know who we meet that may be battling cancer or going through a rough time. Life just becomes more clear when we spend quiet time alone with our Creator. We're reminded of why we're here and what we really need to do. It suddenly gave me a new perspective for…

MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

It was the beginning of December And we were off to a rocky start The house wasn't clean And I had a cold heart There was arguing, whining, little to no rest Our family of four All seemed put to the test Where was the joy, the laughter, the fun? Sure seemed like Christmas season Should be a prettier one The radio kept repeating, "It's the most wonderful time of the year" But crying and ungratefulness Were all I could hear Then a moment of silence In the middle of the night Quickly lifted my mood And gave me new sight This month was about Jesus A Savior indeed God gave Him to us To save those in need He's just the One to help me see It's not about presents, Parties or me It's giving our lives Completely to Him The way He did for us To save us from sin And what do we get In return for our time? Precious treasures

That can't be bought with a dime. The fruits of the Spirit... Patience, peace, joy and love Priceless gifts That only come from above

What truly important task will you be sure to do today?

#lists #brendonbruchard #john151617