Five Things: To-Don't List

In an effort to post more often (you know, like more than twice a year), I’ve decided to experiment with some shorter posts now and then. So...drum roll please...I’m am pleased to present a new recurring feature on Fearlessly Following the Father called "Five Things."

I love lists, and I have them posted everywhere. At this moment, I can reach out and touch six unique, handwritten lists, and that doesn’t begin to cover the ones in Google drive, on my phone, on my many calendars, and scribbles on the scraps of paper littering my handbag and car. Errand lists, shopping lists, project lists, prayer lists, goals, plans--a perpetual collection of visual reminders to help me plan and motivate me to get things done.

A huge part of that motivation lies in the giddy satisfaction of drawing a line through completed items. Of course, I don’t make the lists just for the little boost I get from documenting my productivity in black and white (actually, I pretty much only use blue pens and a lot of pastel paper, but whatever). Still, by nature, I tend to gravitate toward things I can do.

The only problem is, there are also things I need to not do, but there’s no tangible reinforcement for not doing something. Immersing myself in my to-do lists may result in productivity, but when I fail to address the bad habits that cause me to stumble, I neglect what should be the driving force behind all my lists and plans: becoming the woman I am in Christ.

Of course, I can never become that woman in my own strength, but I can make a conscious effort to identify and surrender behaviors that are inconsistent with who I am and whose I am (1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 3:1). I've stalled a bit in finishing this post, but the more I've thought about my list over the last few weeks, the more I've caught myself doing most of the things on it at least once a day. If the process of developing the list has made me uncomfortably aware of things I need to let go, then I want to be brave enough to write them down so they can be dealt with. (And yes, this list could definitely be more than five items long, but this is supposed to be a short post).

Tamra’s To-Don’t List

1. compare myself to others in an effort to make me feel good about myself (1 Corinthians 10:12)
2. compare myself to others in an effort to make me feel awful about myself (1 Timothy 6:6)
3. dismiss or excuse my unkindness or impatience on the basis of my mood or circumstances (2 Peter 1:5-9)
4. trust how I feel over what I know (Philippians 4:4-7)
5. shrink back from ministering to others just because I feel awkward or don’t know what to say (Philippians 2:3-4)

I doubt I’ll ever get the thrill of drawing a line through any of these items, but this isn’t about accomplishment. Instead, it’s a reminder to fearlessly face my flaws in light of what Christ has already accomplished (Romans 6:18), and choose instead to follow after the Father as He works out His plan for me (Philippians 1:6).

What's on your "To-Don't" List?

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." -Ephesians 4:22-24

Lenten Lessons Learned

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but I never really "got" Lent. I know there are a lot of variations in the way it is observed, and this little post is in no way meant to be a commentary on what you do or don't do during Lent. Mostly, I think it will illustrate how badly I've missed the point all these years, but I figure I can't be the only one who appreciates a good "a-ha!" moment.

I have never given up anything for Lent, and I have traditionally exempted myself on the basis of one or both of these arguments: 1) it seems legalistic, 2) somehow, giving up Pinterest or chocolate or some other inconsequential thing for a few weeks seems like a terribly inadequate gesture in light of what Christ did for me. (Note that I didn't say they were good arguments).

And so it was sheer coincidence that I happened to swear off my favorite snack shortly before Lent this year.