Trip To-Do List

Have you ever woken up late but been so tired that you struggle to be motivated enough to get out of the house on time? Me, neither. Okay . . . maybe this morning.

And I didn't even have a good reason for staying up late last night.

I have a type A personality. I love to create goals, then check them off when I've accomplished them. Sometimes, I'll even add things to my to-do list that I've already accomplished purely for the satisfaction of checking it off. Apparently, my daily goals of teaching school and keeping up with the house and errands are not enough of a challenge for me. For some reason, going on a trip kicks my goal-oriented personality into high gear. Packing for my two children and myself should be enough, but how can I stop there?

About two weeks before every trip, I start making arbitrary goals: "I need to catch up on all of my magazines." My rational self points out that I have been behind on my magazines for months so what's a couple of more weeks? Plus they'll be here waiting for me when I get back. My type A self becomes like a drill sergeant: "This is of utmost importance! Add it to the list!"

If this was the only random goal, it might not be too bad. I've also added to the list: finish reading a book I started a month ago, finish two audiobooks that need to be returned to the library, write five blog posts, upload pictures for a school yearbook (not even due yet), plus clear off the entire DVR (this is serious business!). All of these goals are in addition to the real goals I had of completing photo albums for gifts (see Faithful post).

So when my husband innocently suggested the other day that we should decorate for Christmas before going on our trip, my head nearly exploded at the thought (figuratively, of course). Poor guy . . . how could he have known the imaginary pressure I was already under?

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6, 7 (NLT)

When I'm under pressure to accomplish a task, I should immediately come to the Lord in prayer. However, asking God to help me finish my magazines, for example, is a sure-fire way to make me realize how silly a goal is. This is my new measuring stick. If I would feel silly praying about a certain goal, maybe that goal should be scratched off the list. So, here goes. I'm scratching off reading the magazines and books, as well as clearing off the DVR.

Wow, that's weird. That tight feeling in my chest is going away. I think I might have a good chance of getting enough sleep tonight.