The To-Do List

It has been nearly six weeks since my auto accident, and I am slowly regaining my strength. Trying to function with wobbly legs and with my right arm in a cast has made me mindful of the importance of enjoying life to the fullest when our health allows it.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 (MSG) tells us:

You who are young, make the most of your youth.
Relish your youthful vigor.
Follow the impulses of your heart.
If something looks good to you, pursue it.
But also know that not just anything goes;
You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.
Live footloose and fancy free –
You won't be young forever.
Youth lasts about as long as smoke.

Over the weekend, Joe and I took the canoe out onto the lake. Unable to paddle, I had plenty of time to think. The summer is nearly over, and I have only been in the canoe three times this year.

I suddenly realized as the canoe skimmed over the mirror-smooth water that I have wasted a lot of wonderful opportunities to play. I looked down at my fingers encased in my cast and regretted the countless times I had walked past my banjo and promised to play it after all of the more important tasks on my to-do list were finished. What if this happened to be the last day God blessed me with life here on earth? I realized that I felt tremendous regret for all of the times I had opted to work, work, work. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that it's important to take time out for recreation, too.

I don't think God expects us to go through life like slaves, never pausing to smell the beautiful roses that bloom outside the front door or to play a lively tune on a musical instrument. He would want us to take the time to paddle a lake, to enjoy the companionship of a friend, or to play with a small child. How many precious moments have we all missed, because we've been to busy with something else that seemed important at the time?

Tomorrow, I'm going to put something fun at the top of my list of things to do. And I'm going to sandwich in some other entertaining events along the way. Life is too short to miss out on the joy that we find in fully experiencing all that God's beautiful world has to offer.

What's on your to-do list for tomorrow?