A Liturgy for the Long List

The glossy magazines and flashy television commercials shout, “New Year, New You.”  My social media feeds are full of captions promising great abs! Long lean legs! Amazing arms! In just ten minutes of work, they guarantee successes if I only follow certain routines. 

Not too long ago, I did the math on each of the “only 10 minutes” routines I’d collected.  If I was to do them all, I’d be working through these short routines for close to two hours.  My morning and evening routines would need to meet midday!

When we think of overwhelming calendar obligations, we often think of holidays and the ends of the school years.  But this isn’t always the case, is it?  This week two friends mentioned January and February were busier than the holidays had been! For our little family of three, holiday and work travel, plus church activities mean almost a month between the weekends our family will be together on Saturday and Sunday. 

I sigh.

I glance at my calendar and the fourteen-item to-do list I created for today and then stare down the clock, willing it to slow for a moment.  The day ends with a silent scream, “Wait!  I don’t have everything complete that I’ve penciled in!”  Oh!  The little failures that creep in to steal my joy!

But wait…

Let’s stop the maddening noise of guilt and choose to focus on the joys that have filled our days – the everyday blessings we hardly notice, chances to connect and serve family and friends. 

In Philippians we read,

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thankfulness, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

The words “with thankfulness” swim before my eyes.  Am I, right here in this moment, being thankful? 

Sweet friend, let’s turn our hearts toward thankfulness and worship. 

A Liturgy

Let’s exhale, to let go of everything we have been, are and will juggle in the next season, and present it to God….

Let’s focus your eyes on the most beautiful thing in the room and be thankful that you can see it….

Let’s focus our ears quietest sound in the room and be thankful that you can hear it….

Let’s inhale deeply and be thankful for another day….

Let’s close your eyes and just be; just dwell; just be thankful for the tiniest blessings and largest….

Let’s close our calendars and apps and picture someone with whom you want to connect….

Let’s lay aside the mile-long list of things to do for a moment. Instead pick one personal connection to make today.  Call a friend, or send a card, find a way to connect or to serve someone. 

If you are like me, you’ll need to pick that list back up soon.  Things need to get accomplished and life needs to move forward.  But, when I give myself permission to pause, I can look at the list with new eyes and refreshed priorities.

Many Blessings, Bethany

PS – I found this picture and have been obsessing over the calendar in the image. I love that it is on a lined page. I’m guessing in a bullet journal. Does anyone keep a calendar like this with a day per line?