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<\/a>As part of my preparation, I created a \u201cto do\u201d list. If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I am a list maker. Yesterday was no different.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I listed the usual things to do. Clean the bathrooms, sweep and mop the floors, and food preparation tasks. And there were some unusual ones. I cut the grass and cleaned off the patio deck (it\u2019s actually warm enough and there is no snow now so we can use it).<\/p>\n
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I wrote my list while sitting in my living room, looking out toward the mountains. The aspen trees in the front yard have finally been blessed with spring green leaves. There was a pleasant breeze drifting through the screen door. And then, something else came to mind that needed to be on my list. And then another.<\/p>\n
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Enjoy the day!<\/p>\n
Praise God!<\/p>\n
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In the busyness of my day, if I am not diligent and mindful, I will forget to do these two things. And that\u2019s just not something I want to do.<\/p>\n
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So throughout my day, as I would return to my list to cross off another task, my eyes would float to the bottom and I would be reminded to enjoy the day and to praise God.<\/p>\n
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It worked so well, that I will never create another list without these two additions. Why? It made my day! I was happier throughout the day and I never once felt as if I were doing chores. Even though I was.<\/p>\n
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And I also know that remembering God throughout my day can be difficult because of the tasks at hand. But I must remember that God thinks of me, so I should be thinking of Him.<\/p>\n
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King David wrote of God\u2019s mindfulness toward mankind in Psalm 8:3-5 (NIV). \u201cWhen I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n With all of God\u2019s creation, how is it that God is mindful of us and crowned us with glory and honor? Because we were created to have a relationship with God. God wants that relationship with us more than He cares for the heavens He created. Therefore, we should be more mindful of Him on a daily basis.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n God wanted that relationship with us enough to give up something very precious to Him. His Son. \u201cFor God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.\u201d <\/em>(John 3:16 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, I must ask myself. What am I willing to give up for my relationship with God?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jesus asked His followers to give up everything they knew to follow Him. And they did. \u201cIf anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 16:24 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul chose to follow Christ by crucifying himself. \u201cI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.\u201d <\/em>(Galatians 2:20 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On a practical note, Paul gave a list of things we are to \u201cput to death\u201d in Colossians 3:5 (NIV). \u201cPut to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What am<\/em> I willing to give up for my relationship with God?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What are you willing to give up for your relationship with God?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A little note on the bottom of my \u201cto do\u201d list seems pretty small. But it is a start. It is a good start. To remember God throughout my day and have a little conversation with Him. To be mindful of God as my Creator and Redeemer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Praise God!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donna<\/p>\n <\/p>\n