Monday, May 21, 2012

Accomplishments for the Day or "The List" (Part One)


Many women love to plan and prepare. I happen to be one of them. I set goals for myself and have an immense desire to check them off my list at the end of the day. I feel such satisfaction when that occurs! The sad part is that when it doesn't happen, I can get very frustrated (and it shows!) and wonder where did my day go?

You feel like you weren't productive. The ceiling fans are showing signs of stalactites, the windows in your home blend in with your walls and the kitchen sink is full of dishes that require a pick and chisel to clean. You feel like a failure as you wonder (and are irritable!) what did I accomplish today?

How many years was I influenced and flustered by these thoughts? How many hours did I waste in grouchiness trying to conquer those goals I set for myself? But most importantly, how many minutes and seconds of kisses and hugs did I rob from my husband and children while trying to bow down to the god that I created myself, "The List"?

I will always be thankful for the older woman I had in my life to guide me at that point. I was encouraged that my accomplishments were in the form of a happy husband and smiling child. Each day that I nurtured the needs of my family, I was bringing glory and beauty to the heavenly home.  I was doing what I was called to do and that "list" was the same each day and given to me by the Almighty (and in good order)…
  1. to love my husband
  2. to love my children
  3. to be discreet and chaste
  4. to be a keeper at home
(Titus 2:4-5)

Of course, I would continue keeping the home (it is on the heavenly list!) and tackling those scientific phenomenons that were occurring in my little kingdom. I would even keep a list. The difference was, that I knew the God given responsibilities on the top were the priority. I was accomplishing much each day when I loved and served my family and I wasn't going to let my man made paper make a failure out of me anymore. 

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap
but by the seeds that you plant."
~ Robert Louis Stevenson

*Note: This post is geared towards the "Martha" minded women. You know who you are…
I am without a doubt one of them since I am the task oriented type.
Visit here if you are a "Mary" minded woman.*
Which one are you?
All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making MondaysModest Mom Monday'sMonday's MusingsMake Your Home Sing MondayGood Morning Mondays,  The ScoopTitus 2 TuesdaysTuesdays with a TwistRaising HomemakersWise Woman Link UpHomestead Blog Hop Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and ConversationHomemaking ThursdaysHome Sweet HomeOur Simple HomesteadAwesome Life Friday Link UpFive Star Frou Frou Friday, and Shabbilicious Friday. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them). Painting is of "The Letter" by Albert Finch.

13 comments:

  1. Have you ever heard of the book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World? I have not read it but this post reminded me of it. It's on my "list" :) of books to read. Yes, I'm a list maker....sigh....I enjoyed this post.:)

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    1. Welcome to my world :) my fellow list maker!

      Yes, I have heard of the book but never had a chance to read it. Thanks for sharing! ~ JES

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  2. What a perfect post for me to read just now! I'm a list maker and I love to check things off! I love your 4 item list...I need to make that my own! Thank you for pointing me in the right direction to get this new day started!

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    1. Another fellow list maker! :)

      Thanks for stopping by Kasey!

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  3. excellent post says this listmaker!

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    1. Hurray! Another fellow lister! (I just made up another word I think…)

      Thanks for stopping by :)

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  4. Ah! I am a list maker as well... This was such good post, JES! Thank you so much for sharing today:). Love, Kelly

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    1. Sounds like there are many of our kind out there :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I have certainly been in your shoes when my daughters were young I finally realized I was keeping a perfect home but making my family miserable. I don't think I succeeded everyday, but I was able to find a compromise some days. It's an important post for those of us who can't function without a list. ~Pamela

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    1. True, it is hard! Is there a list anonymous somewhere? But without it... where would I be? Thanks for sharing Pamela!

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  6. I think a list can be important. Sometimes I make a list as I go through my day of what I did instead of a list I cross things off. Your stalactite comment was funny. I was thinking if I got rid of those, what would the cat play with?

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    1. Your cat comment was funny! And that is a great idea to write down your achievements instead of crossing them off. It would be more encouraging I think.

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