This is a revision of one of my most popular posts from my previous blog.
Hope you enjoy…
One day last winter, I was talking with my sweet friend Emily from Chatting at the Sky. (Isn’t she just precious?) Our kid-free conversation turned into a discussion over the things that we DON’T do so we can do the things we DO do.
I figured that my list just needed to be blogged. So here goes. Ten things I don’t do…
- I don’t bake from scratch. My poor mixer stays hidden in the drawer except for the sporadic occasions where I bake our favorite banana-chocolate chip muffins. I can however whip up some mean slice-n-bake cookies.
- I don’t scrapbook, sew, or knit. I have had big dreams of sewing dresses for my daughter or curtains for my sons’ room. I have also bought scrapbooking supplies over the years with huge ambition. But those cute fabrics and color-coordinated papers haunt me from inside the hall closet. And my poor third born. I don’t even have his baby book finished.
- I don’t {formally} homeschool. I say formally because I don’t have charts or mathbooks or desks. My oldest is in a Christian school — by God’s leading and miraculous provision. And I teach the basics to my younger two while we sit on the carpet in the playroom.
Though I guess all of us as believers are called to “homeschool” in some regard. We all are commissioned to raise up our children while teaching the Lord’s ways throughout the day. So I do. But I don’t. - I don’t dust, mop, and/or vacuum my house every single week. I could be the poster child for recovering perfectionists. In years past I have been known to even stack my dinner plates in alternating fashion inside the cupboard. So this is a freeing statement for me to make.
- I don’t watch {much} TV. It is rare that I choose to spend my time watching TV. I would rather read or write. Plus, it helps that we only have basic cable. There just aren’t many choices.
- I don’t garden. And I typically kill any flowers we have in the house. But I love the farmer’s market and cherish any and all produce that is shared by my sweet gardening friends. Thank you.
- I don’t sleep in. Mornings are vital for my well-being. Seriously. I awake before the kids and spend time in prayer and in his word. Then if mommyhood doesn’t yet beckon, I may even write a little. Though I must admit, one day when the kids are away at college, I hope to stay in bed until at least seven.
- I don’t regularly re-decorate my home. I LOVE decorating and rearranging and revamping. But for this season of life, I’ve put this on the back burner. I just try not to covet all of those hip Pinterest images that I’m tempted to linger upon.
- I don’t talk for very long on the phone. In fact, unless my children are all strapped into their car seats I find it difficult to talk on the phone at all.
- I don’t spend extended periods of time on social media. For a {mostly} stay-at-home mom, social media is often my ticket to adult conversation. So I totally love it. But I try to remain purposeful in cyber-space and set a time limit. Otherwise I enter into this crazy time warp.
I want to do most of these things. I enjoy having homemade bread and seeing my walls full of up-to-date photographs. I would love to sleep past the sunrise and spend hours scrolling through family pictures of old friends on Facebook. But to do what he has for me this day, I have to choose to lay some things down.
He gives the same amount of time to each of us. Twenty-four hours per day. No more, no less. We each have enough time to do all that he has called us to do. The key is seeking him in the moments to know exactly how he desires we spend these fleeting hours.
So there you have it. Ten things I don’t do, so that I can do the things I do…do.
Fill me, Lord…
What things don’t you do, so you can do what he has for you in this season of life?
What is he prompting you to lay down so that you can fulfill your call for this day?
My list looks very similar to yours. I’m finding the older I get (I’m not *that* old), the more I long to draw closer to God. And in doing so, I learn that some things just aren’t as important as I once thought.
You mean stacking my plates in alternating order is not important?! (just kidding) I agree, many things are just not as important as I once thought. He is so patient with us.
The Lord gave me a vision many years ago for an educational facility, He says to me it is now time. But, you need to stop writing, this is hard, He has given me the ability to write and I so desire to share what I learn with others. However, I am doing my best to daily pray, Lord what would you have me do today.
Peace, <
That’s so key. Communing with Him, waiting for Him to lead. Praying/believing with you that He would give you wisdom unexplainable. Blessings.
What a fantastic post! If you don’t mind, I’d love to use this idea on my own blog 🙂
I do a few of the things that you don’t – and I know that I don’t do some of the things you do 🙂
Of course you can use this idea. And that’s what is so amazing about our God. He calls each of us to different things at different times. Such a tapestry of color. 🙂
Great post, I love “Not-To-Do” lists…
Nice blog BTW It’s really clean!
Thanks for stopping by, Scott. Yes, “not-to-do” lists are freeing. Blessings!
(still) love this post- truly in a “Lara Keeps it Real” fashion- it perspective-alizes me.
Love this post! I think I should do some definite soul-searching over what I SHOULDN’T be doing in order to do the things He wants me to do (and the things that I NEED to do … even though I don’t like them), so that I can have the disciplined life He is calling me to. This is hard, because I am one of those that WANTS to do it all. *sigh*
I love this! So well said. I’ve often thought through my “things I don’t do” list, because it seems to help with being realistic, and with keeping priorities in perspective …
Came across your blog because of a friend’s recommendation of your post on thebettermom yesterday. Also excellent. Thanks!
great post. reminds us that when we say “yes” to some things, we must say “no” to others. helpful in helping us choose joy…less whining:)