Hire a Maid!

“What are you doing tomorrow?” she asked.

Our days are often filled with busy-ness and sometimes the to-do’s outweigh the “with who’s.”

Somehow, the longer our list is and the more we tend to get finished and cross off of that list, the more accomplished we feel. Seriously?!

As I get older, I tend to see and think that way of living life as a deadly trap. Does clearing that list actually mean more than the people we do life with? Now, some might say the people they do life with are the reason they get that list checked off. But…if we still ourselves and our over-cluttered minds and hearts, we ‘ll soon realize that getting those boxes checked are poor substitutes for quality time and the memories we could be making. Yes, truly!

What good does it do to work ourselves to a frazzle and not be there or good for our family and friends? What difference does it make if we get the chores done but not be there to offer an ear or hand to a one of those hearts in need? What matters most when our life comes to an end — that we’ve gotten the floor freshly mopped that day or that we’ve mopped up the salty tears falling from the eyes of someone our life touches?

The most important thing we do on any particular day has nothing to do with WHAT we do, but the WHO we do it with and how we touch each other’s lives.

What matters more? That we spent valuable moments we can’t get back doing laundry or stopping long enough to notice a weary face which should be smiling? Does it matter more to us that our toilet isn’t spotless and the bed is unmade? What a mistake it is to think a list and staying busy is more important than making the seconds constantly ticking by on our watch matter and leaving a legacy for someone to remember. Isn’t it more productive to make someone feel valued than to balance our checkbook?

After all, the dishes will be piled up again tomorrow, the toilet will need to be scrubbed again and most certainly the laundry basket will be filled to the brim again in just a few days — and that to-do list; it will continue to scream out for our attention. However, we can never regain the lost moments and chances for making a difference in someone’s life.

When someone passes from this life, we can no longer seize those moments of opportunity. We can no longer make memories of what could have been the best part of our days after the day has passed. You see, sometimes we don’t stop to realize what are the most important goals in life until someone’s life is taken away and time is no longer available. Legacy and memories are all we have!

That check list…throw it away. It’s a lot more reasonable to do that than to throw away precious opportunities which will one day become legacy and lasting memories. What’s the obvious choice when we slow down long enough to consider the matter. I think it was the wise Solomon who declared life is vanity.

Speaking of Solomon, and the Bible, that goes for our relationship with God too. We can do, but nothing takes place of spending time with God.

Let’s stop today. Have a cup of coffee or tea with someone who means something to you. Set aside the lists and truly listen to what that person sitting with you is saying. Wait on that errand and spend a few extra moments sharing your time. Skip the stuff which isn’t really important when it’s all said and done. Choose memories over duties! Make a good, lasting impression on someone’s life because you truly “saw” them. Leave a legacy of love and caring, not of getting all the things done.

At the ending the day, I want to know I made a difference in someone’s life or that I allowed someone to make a difference in mine. I want to choose to hold a hand over a vacuum handle. I want to touch a heart and make someone feel special. I want to slow down and “see” people because there are things they’ll never say, but I will notice and can make a difference if I’m paying attention. Priorities. Let’s put people, love and memories at the forefront! Like I always say,

the other stuff will still be there when the important stuff is finished.

Fact! How do I know? I have lived long enough to see it come to pass. Take my word for it; toss the to-do list and gather up special moments and priceless memories instead. After all (and I say this jokingly), but you can always hire a maid, but you can’t buy back lost opportunities and moments.

Hope this has challenged you today. Be blessed and present ~