When you make time for prayer with me, slip off to your room, close the door, and let’s talk secretly. I know your intentions for spending time with me, and you will receive my favor—Matthew 6:6 (King Jimmy Translation).
Re-Do the To-Do
Let’s see a show of hands of those who need a to-do list to check off items to get stuff done.
I should raise my hand.
My pride convinced me I didn’t need a to-do list of the honey-does waiting for me after I retired. After all, with my photographic mind, I can vividly remember details of circumstances and events from decades ago. (I’ve offered my phenomenal remembrance skills to both presidential candidates but haven’t heard back from them.)
Dreams of transforming the Aggie homestead into a palace type of abode were placed on hold until after my retirement in July of 2015. Twenty-five years of normal wear and tear required in a number of needed repairs and updates to our modest hut. Every day, as I walked the property, I added more projects to my list, which I kept in an orderly manner in my mind.
I don’t need no stinkin’ to-do list!
Then my OCD butted heads with my ADHD. This conflict proved to me how foolish to think I could accomplish anything without a to-do list. If I didn’t check off projects on my to-do list, my attempts to turn the Aggie homestead into the Taj Mahal resembled the Texas Rangers trying to find an offense in the playoffs. The original Taj Mahal took twenty-two years to construct and used one thousand elephants. In today’s dollars, $827 million would pick up the tab.
Three problems immediately arose:
- Retirement depleted my $827 million stash.
- I may not have twenty-two years left.
- Our HOA has a “No Elephant restriction.”
I sensed the urgency to get things done before my years of good physical health expired. I made a detailed to-do list, which allowed no idle time. My original short list evolved into a multifaceted spreadsheet. Every second of every minute of every hour of every day was accounted for. The battle to stay focused required my undivided attention for every project while my ADHD wanted to sneak-slap my OCD. (Because this is a family-friendly article, I cannot mention the obvious kind of slap.)
The Lord leaned over my shoulder to look at my to-do list. He shook his head. “Where’s my time on your list, Jimmy?”
“Oh, hi ya, Lord.” I pointed to the morning schedule on the spreadsheet. “Here you are. You’re penciled in at breakfast while I eat my Cheerios and a banana.”
“Oh, thanks a lot, Aggie,” the Lord said. “You eat faster than your dachshunds, Daisy and Skipper. That leaves me about thirty seconds.
“No, no. Look here.” I protested and pointed to another section. “See, I’ve blocked off an hour for you on Sunday mornings. I’m giving you lots of time.” I turned the family spreadsheet segment. “See, Lord. I’ve allotted ten-minutes to drop Mrs. Aggie at the hospital and another ten-minutes when I pick her up a week later, if she’s ready to be released.” I justified my schedule. “I’ve got lots to do and a short time to do it.”
The Lord sighed and put His arm around my shoulder. “Ditch the list and let’s take a walk.”
We walked around the block.
“Do you know why it is vital for you to have quiet time with me?” The Lord didn’t let me answer. “Unlike other relationships, the health of our relationship eternally affects your body, soul, and spirit.”
“I know you’re right, Lord, but my ADHD kicks in when I try to spend alone time with you, and . . .”
He interrupted. “Have you noticed how the devil attempts to distract your focus when we’re together?”
“Uh . . . yeah.”
“That’s why I put my Spirit to live within you.”
“Sure am glad you did, Lord. You’re always with me.” I reflected for a moment. “Sorry I don’t talk one-on-one with you more.”
“When you’re committed to spend time with me, the closer you draw near to me, the more you can resist the devil.” He stopped and placed both his hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eye. “I’ve given you permission to use my name against the devil—with all my power. He will get outta Dodge.” He was emphatic. “Just remember. The devil fears my name when used in faith!”
While we walked in the early-morning cool on that August day, his words comforted my mind. But I needed his words to take deeper roots in my heart.
“You know I was pretty busy while I was here on Earth,” Jesus said. “Yet I made time be still and spend with my Father.”
“Looks like I need to change my spreadsheet, Lord,” I confessed. “I need more quiet time with you.”
“I wired you,” the Lord reminded me. “I gave you my attributes to get things done, and you do a good job of it, but still you’re leaving me on the sidelines too much.”
I couldn’t argue. He was right.
“Here’s another of my truths,” the Lord said. “Give me more alone time and I will make the rest of your time work for you.”
I swore I heard a faint laughter.
“Besides, it’s fun to spend time with Aggies.”
Funny, but not strange, the more I spend time alone with Jesus, my to-do list gets shorter.
Lord, may we resolve to re-arrange our schedules to spend more time with you, to draw nearer to you. Give us more passion to seek you and know your heart.
Stay close to Jesus.
Jimmy
P.S. At the next HOA meeting, I want to bring up that “No Elephant Restriction” thingy again.
Jimmy Eskew © 2016
THANKFUL 
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