Monday, December 29, 2014

The Have to Life

In the past couple of years, the words "I have to..." seem to be coming out of my mouth more often than not. They usually precede a long list of very important activities... or so I would like to think.

I have to...
     Go to the store...
     Clean the house...
     Go to work...
     Get my nails done...
     Get my haircut...
     Write in my Blog...
     Walk the dog...
     Spend quality time with...
...and the list goes on and on.

The hustle and bustle of an active life are actually quite exhausting when I really evaluate what I deem as important. I mean, after all, the "have to's" speak of a life of significance and of being needed. Without the "have to's", ordinary is not extraordinary. Oh my!

Then I stop and listen...and remember.

"Be still and listen", echoes in my busy mind. "Follow me", resonates in my heart. "You are chosen and loved", pierces through to the very core of who I am.

The truth is that there are many things that do crowd in and around my life. Some are mundane chores that have to be done. Others are activities that, on occasion, do add to the richness of my life. My choice and responsibility is to make sure that the level of importance, the significance I give each task, is appropriate. 

There is one thing I choose each day, yes even at times, each moment, that is above all things...even above my relationship with my husband and children. It's my relationship with Jesus. He is never a "have to" or "I need to". He is always first and never an item on my check-off list of things to accomplish each day. I can't  schedule my breaths or heartbeats. He is my breath and heartbeat. 

As for the "have to's", I am learning to relegate them to their proper place and will not be proof of a life of significance...I have that through Christ.