Skip to main content

The to do list

 

Well Christmas is less than two weeks away. The year always seems to go so quickly, filled with activity as it is, and being retired hasn’t changed that. I am struggling a little currently at some expectations that have been laid on me. I simply have enough to do at the moment. I find it hard to say ‘no’ and am just congratulating myself at saying that very word to my church minister. He is a lovely man and works extremely hard. He does, however, feel that every member of the congregation should be fully involved in the life of the church. I’m not sure that I disagree with that, it is simply that somehow much of what needs to be done falls on my age group. Younger families are busy with children and most parents have jobs. Then there are those much older than me who simply no longer have the physical ability or the energy to do much. Add to that a congregation that has shrunk and is mainly older people – and that’s why it is mostly my age group who are busy volunteering and who are asked to do the extras. Because of course, we are retired and have nothing else to do! Ring a bell?

So having just had two extra responsibilities thrust on me by that lovely man, and then asked to do a third I simply said ‘no’.

I have to admit I had a moan to God about all I’ve been asked to do and was convicted to change my attitude. Oh dear! So I have changed my attitude but still have to be realistic about how much I can do at any one time—so the ‘no’ stands.

Actually, I am feeling quite a load off my shoulders now I have made that decision.

I truly want to serve and expect to serve in my church; but you all know the 20 / 80 rule I’m sure. So there I am, feeling relieved.

I am big on lists which is how I get through such a lot in my day. Unfortunately it is easy to have too much on the list. However, I have completed a reasonable list of what I have to get through by Christmas and have made some decisions about what can be crossed off. Does it matter if the gardens are a mess at Christmas? Will the family care if I don’t get the streamers up? Maybe I need to make a resolution next year to cross off more?

Well, whatever happens, I hope and pray that you are being kind to yourselves and not trying to do too much in the lead-up to Christmas. God bless.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taking Time Out

  I had the privilege this week of attending a retreat with five other women. The retreat was over three days but unfortunately some of the nine women who intended to go, were unable to as other urgent commitments came up and needed to be kept. So it became a bit different than expected. Six of us attended the first day, but two of us could only go for the day. Another two were going out the following day for the rest of the retreat. Unfortunately one of our ladies became quite sick and to her disappointment missed it all. However, the day I attended was blessed.   The retreat was held at a beach house belonging to one of the group, at an isolated beach about an hours drive away. It was a beautiful sunny day. We deposited our bags and the first thing we did after admiring the view, was to have a cup of tea. This lead to a lovely lazy discussion about all sorts of things, a great introduction to spending time together. Following this we spent about an hour studying and discus...
Post a Comment
Read more

Friends

  I am so blessed to have a circle of really good friends in my life. I am a definite introvert so find it really easy to simply stay home, especially if I have a good book to read. I am an avid reader of Christian fiction. However, I do know that it is better that I have some socialization. Research shows that isolation increases the risk of an early death as well as the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease so obviously I want to avoid that if possible. Research also shows that socialization is good for brain health including making your memory sharper as well as increasing well-being and feelings of belonging. Although as an introvert I find socialization can be a little exhausting, I do enjoy time with my friends and it makes me happy. Introverts tend to have a few very close friends whilst extroverts tend to be friends with everyone and find socialization energizing—strangers are only ‘friends they haven’t yet met’! Now that is of course a very broad generalization, but i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Planting Seeds

  Carrying on from last week, I was wondering how I am sowing seeds. I realised that we can all sow seeds everywhere we go. I don’t go out that often actually, I don’t belong to any secular groups but I can still be responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Under his leading I made a determined effort to get to know the names of all the staff at my two favourite cafés that I visit at least weekly. I ask about their families; I support where I can. My friends and I find opportunities to give them all a little gift of chocolate and a card with a verse of scripture written on it. They all know we are Christians. I guess that might be called planting seeds. I converse with the supermarket checkout operators just to have a chance to bring a blessing to them. Some of them now know I am a Christian. I can easily bring God into conversations with unsaved family members, neighbours and strangers I stop and talk to in the park—with the leading of the Holy Spirit. I do not adopt a heavy...
Post a Comment
Read more