Life Without a To Do List

I used to be a serious planner, making not only daily To Do Lists but also contingency plans for every possibility. I spent more time planning than any other activity. They were my last thoughts at night, fine tuning and revising, repeating with paper and pencil in the morning. On busy days I told people I’d gone from Plan A, past Plan G, and beyond.

Some planning is necessary, but not to the depth I had taken it. It was an attempt at control, an illusion that If I planned it, I could control the outcome. My plans had become idols. I thought more of them than anything else, even prayer.



Then came my wake up call — cancer.

My world shattered, leaving no room for planning, only prayer.

Now that I am in the last stage of my reconstruction and recovery, I am tackling more tasks, but I am not making any lists. Instead, I note what needs to be done at that moment and then do it, leaving tomorrow’s responsibilities unplanned. For time sensitive duties and appointments, I set reminders and forget about them.

Life is less complicated and stressful. Imagine that.

Dear Lord, may I continue to leave my life in your hands, day by day, minute by minute. No detail is too small to warrant your concern. Amen.