Good intentions

July 6, 2026

Hello Friend!

I've always been a list maker. I love how lists keep me focused and moving forward. At the beginning of every day I grab my notepad and list all the things I want to get done, including the small stuff. There's just something so satisfying about checking off an item, feeling that sense of progress and accomplishment. And yep, I'm one of those people who will add an item to the list if it was a spontaneous task I hadn't originally included, just so I can CHECK IT OFF. I know, I know, kinda silly. But it makes me feel good to track progress, and it helps me keep pushing on items that may take longer than a day to finish.

But here's the problem. At the end of the day my list often shows me how out of whack my priorities are. My sink is clean, yay! But I never got around to sending that text to a friend who needs a little extra love. Sure, I tackled most of the easy stuff, but what about the tougher tasks, the ones that take extra time and thought and a dose of self discipline.

Did I spend a few minutes coming up with a way to say thank you to the neighbor who uses his tractor to keep our little country road smooth and pothole-free at no charge to any of us? Did I take the time to stop and say a prayer for the single mom I know who is working hard to raise her foster son? No. But hey, I finally cleaned those windowsills that were dusty and driving me crazy. Sigh.

In the end, a list is a wonderful way to hold yourself accountable for all the things you want to accomplish in a day. Or a week, or a year. But you have to keep at it. Every day is a new start, a fresh opportunity to get your priorities straight and check off the items that might actually make a difference.

Because we all know that in the end, folks don't care so much about our clean windowsills. But they'll remember forever a kindness that makes them feel supported and loved.