My husband has a serious problem.
And what’s worse is the fact he doesn’t even think he has a problem. I have no doubt that when I tell you what his problem is, you’ll be pretty shocked. But perhaps my talking about it in front of hundreds and hundreds of people will help him see what a terrible problem it is.
Better sit down before you read any more.
My husband’s problem (besides eating really blue birthday cake frosting) is that he doesn’t make to-do lists.
I can hear the gasps now. I mean, how can such a wonderful, kind person not make to-do lists? After 45 years of watching me faithfully make these lists and carefully updating them throughout the day, how can he have failed to see the light?
I’ve patiently tried to cure him of this malady by making to-do lists for him. He has responded in one of two ways: either losing the list or failing to cross out any items after he completes them. When I ask him about this latter misstep, he tells me that he knows he has done the task, so he doesn’t need to cross it off.
How can you not cross off a finished task on your to-do list? There is such superb satisfaction in drawing that ink line across the item.
Some of you know exactly what I mean and others of you, I’m afraid, are sympathizing with my husband because you also have a genetic mutation which prevents you from making to-do lists. (And yes, of course I will pray for you–you don’t even need to ask. I’ll just add praying to my to-do list.)
However, my husband is too sweet to tell you (and he doesn’t blog), but I also have a serious problem.
I can get so wrapped up in my to-do list that I may miss something God wants me to do. Or I can be so busy crossing off items that I fail to hear His still small voice.
Here’s what I do to treat my problem. At the top of my to-do list I often write: LOVE LIKE JESUS. 
I remind myself that no matter how much–or how little–I accomplish in 24 hours, I always can love like Jesus. While I may have a good plan for my day, He may have a better one. What seems like an interruption or even a roadblock in my day may simply be a chance for me to love and trust Him more. And I may be completing tasks with temporal significance while neglecting ones with eternal value.
So what’s on your to-do list today? How about Ephesians 5:1-2?
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.
Or as The Message paraphrase puts it: Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
No matter what else gets done today, choose to LOVE LIKE JESUS.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(Be sure to open in your browser so you don’t miss the music video below: “Love Like Jesus.”
