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Photo credit: P. Wright 2026
My To Do list is virtually endless. Everything from housekeeping tasks to vet visits to writing ideas to book marketing campaigns. You could say I hold a PhD in List Making. A kind of Dr. To-Do.
Now, list making certainly has its advantages. For folks like me born in the middle of the last century, these lists written in the old fashioned style of pen and paper, serve as a backup generator, so to speak, since the memory cells are beginning to flicker. Sure, I can remember putting shovels full of sand in my Dad's car gas tank when I was three, but I can't remember the milk we need when I get to the store.
In all honesty, I have lists of lists with sub-lists.
So, when I think about the 10 things I'll be doing in the next four month of this year ... well, my brain suddenly begins to spin like the whirly-gig atop my Grandpa's garage in a major windstorm!
Now, I could be serious and imagine how I'll get finished organizing my sewing room that has been not-so-organized for the past 11 years. Or, I could excitedly think about how I'll have my Paws to Pray website completely updated and all my blogs nicely uploaded. Yes, I can smile widely as I envision how every room of the house will sparkle after a good and thorough cleaning. I can feel the deep satisfaction already for completing that new Jen Wilkin Bible study - well, it was new in 2023.
Ha!
What I've learned as time goes by, is that some lists are carved in stone, like the Ten Commandments, and some are well, like bubbles in the bath. The trick is to know the difference.
Every January 1st for the past 4 decades I've spent an entire day creating a new, customized day planner. Hours and hours of transforming lined Blueline Miracle Bind pages into a 52-week planner; transposing all the important dates - birthdays, anniversaries, memorial dates, holidays, and much more into its pages. Using my vast collection of coloured markers and pens, I embellish the most important ones with floral designs. A special section that moves from month to month includes check lists and schedules of important events and dates relating to my writing, ministry, continuing education, and fur-kids.
The ultimate organized gal, right?
Well, we find ourselves in September now; the changing of seasons that marks a certain adjustment in tempo and focus. Various clubs and groups start afresh after a summer break, new courses are scheduled to begin, engagements that may have been postponed over the summer are now planned to proceed.
So, as I sit down in my cozy study, my three four-legged colleagues all snuggled in their "cubicles", I pull out my planner from atop my piled-high credenza and gasp when I see the page lying open. MARCH 1st to 7th, 2026! I am truly shocked to realize that this ultra-organized lady has not once in six months consulted her day planner!
The world hasn't collapsed!
Throughout the past six months, I've managed to attend every appointment on time, met my writing deadlines (by a hair in some cases), and commemorated special occasions of every description. Somehow, by God's grace, I have continued to function and meet responsibilities without the rigid structure I believed I needed to stay organized.
What does all this boil down to? Well, I believe that through this time, God's been leading me to hold loosely the expectations and commitments I feel obligated to meet. He's quietly taught me to subconsciously assess the importance and value of all those day planner entries that weighed me down with worry and anxiety. He's given me discernment to recognize which ones were truly important.
Maybe I'm especially fortunate; no - I am INDEED especially fortunate! God has blessed me with this comfortable retirement after a stressful four decade career in business. At this juncture, He's reminding me that To Do lists and schedules don't always need to be strictly adhered to.
So, while I know that my To Do list is brimming and my schedule is filling quickly, with God's guidance, I will set my 65-year-old nose to the grindstone and tackle the projects and tasks with eager enthusiasm and yet, using the wisdom and insight I've been blessed with, and continue making my lists of lists, with their sub-lists. Just In Case!
Peggianne Wright is a published author and is the founder of the pet parent ministry Paws To Pray, blending her passion for the Lord and all-things-K9 to form this unique, faith-based community. Peggianne is an ardent Bible study student, devoted dog mom, wife of 44 years, and lover of music. Her blogs Spiritual Scribbles and Fur-Kid Fanatics can be found on her website www.PawsToPray.ca and you can follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PawsToPray/ and on IG @Sister_In_Prayer.
"We can make our plans,
but the LORD determines our steps.
(Proverbs 16:9 NLT)
Now, list making certainly has its advantages. For folks like me born in the middle of the last century, these lists written in the old fashioned style of pen and paper, serve as a backup generator, so to speak, since the memory cells are beginning to flicker. Sure, I can remember putting shovels full of sand in my Dad's car gas tank when I was three, but I can't remember the milk we need when I get to the store.
In all honesty, I have lists of lists with sub-lists.
"But be sure that everything is
done properly and in order."
(1 Corinthians 14:40 NLT)
So, when I think about the 10 things I'll be doing in the next four month of this year ... well, my brain suddenly begins to spin like the whirly-gig atop my Grandpa's garage in a major windstorm!
Now, I could be serious and imagine how I'll get finished organizing my sewing room that has been not-so-organized for the past 11 years. Or, I could excitedly think about how I'll have my Paws to Pray website completely updated and all my blogs nicely uploaded. Yes, I can smile widely as I envision how every room of the house will sparkle after a good and thorough cleaning. I can feel the deep satisfaction already for completing that new Jen Wilkin Bible study - well, it was new in 2023.
Ha!
What I've learned as time goes by, is that some lists are carved in stone, like the Ten Commandments, and some are well, like bubbles in the bath. The trick is to know the difference.
Every January 1st for the past 4 decades I've spent an entire day creating a new, customized day planner. Hours and hours of transforming lined Blueline Miracle Bind pages into a 52-week planner; transposing all the important dates - birthdays, anniversaries, memorial dates, holidays, and much more into its pages. Using my vast collection of coloured markers and pens, I embellish the most important ones with floral designs. A special section that moves from month to month includes check lists and schedules of important events and dates relating to my writing, ministry, continuing education, and fur-kids.
The ultimate organized gal, right?
Well, we find ourselves in September now; the changing of seasons that marks a certain adjustment in tempo and focus. Various clubs and groups start afresh after a summer break, new courses are scheduled to begin, engagements that may have been postponed over the summer are now planned to proceed.
The world hasn't collapsed!
Throughout the past six months, I've managed to attend every appointment on time, met my writing deadlines (by a hair in some cases), and commemorated special occasions of every description. Somehow, by God's grace, I have continued to function and meet responsibilities without the rigid structure I believed I needed to stay organized.
What does all this boil down to? Well, I believe that through this time, God's been leading me to hold loosely the expectations and commitments I feel obligated to meet. He's quietly taught me to subconsciously assess the importance and value of all those day planner entries that weighed me down with worry and anxiety. He's given me discernment to recognize which ones were truly important.
Maybe I'm especially fortunate; no - I am INDEED especially fortunate! God has blessed me with this comfortable retirement after a stressful four decade career in business. At this juncture, He's reminding me that To Do lists and schedules don't always need to be strictly adhered to.
The next four months of this year will be busy for me. "With Ardent Strength", the third in a series of four Advent devotional books will be finalized for release, devotionals for monthly publications will be written, updates and renovations to my website will be undertaken, preparations for Christmas markets will be organized, marketing strategies will be planned and created, all in addition to the everyday, mundane tasks of running a household and raising three fur-kids.
So, while I know that my To Do list is brimming and my schedule is filling quickly, with God's guidance, I will set my 65-year-old nose to the grindstone and tackle the projects and tasks with eager enthusiasm and yet, using the wisdom and insight I've been blessed with, and continue making my lists of lists, with their sub-lists. Just In Case!
"Commit your actions to the LORD,
and your plans will succeed."
(Proverbs 16:3 NLT)
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