The Dreaded, Endless To-Do List

I have a theory about to-do lists: they multiply like rabbits.

Between the kids, my husband, the house, writing, and running a ministry, my list never seems to end.

As a mom, I know you can relate.

My to-do list lives in my head, and yes—it’s numbered.

1. #1 Make supper.

2. #2 Do the dishes.

3. And on it goes.

When I need to add something like "paint the living room" or "reorganize the basement storage room," I rank those too. Right now, they’re sitting at 34 and 21 respectively. They’re important and do need to get done. If they were less urgent, they might end up way down the line at 301—right next to “learn to knit.”

Last night, as I lay in bed reviewing tomorrow’s list, I had a realization: my list may be endless, but with only twenty-four hours in a day, I rarely get beyond the first 10 tasks anyway.

And this panic and devotion to the to-do list affects my relationship with God. I can get so overwhelmed with the day-to-day that my prayers turn into half-sentences, and my Bible study time is reduced to quick radio snippets on the drive to work.

But here’s the thing—God is the key to unlocking the mystery of the dreaded to-do list.

Our Father—our Creator—knows all about to-do lists. Father God had a to-do list that included creating the entire cosmos. But He didn’t do it all in one day. And then—He rested.

We can get so caught up in being busy, so focused on our own list, that we forget the most important list: His.

So here’s my challenge for you. Take five minutes tomorrow morning—just five—and ask God what’s on His to-do list for your day. Not yours. Not your family’s. Not what you think it should be. Ask Him what He wants it to be.

Because He has already mapped out your day. He knows what truly needs to be done. He knows the timing. He knows what can wait. He created this very day for you before time began.

Trust His leading—and let Him carry your to-do list

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"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."—Luke 10:41–42 (NIV)