I have a large whiteboard that hangs in my office, right above a cork board that holds all manner of important documents, like bills to pay, a lanyard from a recent conference, a reminder to go to the dentist this month, and a picture of Anna from Frozen that my toddler painted for me.
There are currently three to-do lists competing for space on that whiteboard. One for work, one for my blog, and one for our home. We have a tendency to start projects around here and forget to finish the small details, so that one is full of exciting things like “finish grout” and “clean closets.”
It’s interesting to look at the three lists and watch which projects I work through the fastest. The “blog” list is shorter but has larger tasks on it because I like to dream big. The “work” list is longest and the “home” list tends to stick around. What I realized is that I tend to tackle first the projects that are on my “get to” list – not my “have to” list.”
I “get to” write a fun #write31days series and link up with Nester so I poured energy and creativity into videos and posts that would go live on my blog every day of October. I was willing to do what it took to get them written in advance so I could spend the month working through the next big dream on the list. I “have to” respond to emails and pay bills, so – while they are always done in a timely manner – they don’t fill me with a holy passion to stay up late and work in my “leftover” hours.
And then I wonder where time with God falls on that list? Do I consider time in the Word a “have to” or a “get to?” What about worship? And if I consider those something I have to do because somewhere along the way someone told me that getting up early in the morning and doing Bible study is the best way to start my day, is that enough motivation to keep me going when the mornings are dark and I’d rather hit snooze?
So I’ve been praying lately, a bit of a scary prayer, asking God to create in me a “get to” holy desire to spend time with Him, in the Word, worshipping. I want it to be the item on the to-do list that becomes so non-negotiable that it comes before all of my own dreaming and planning – and ultimately the place where God’s plan with my life pours out into my own planning. I want my life to be filled with “get to” moments and not “have to” tasks because I can see them all through the lens of blessing and answered prayer.
- That work list? It’s a joy to “get to” do those things because God has answered a prayer and blessed me with a dream job.
- The home list? I can’t wait to “get to” make our home beautiful and safe and inviting for others and our family because God has provided abundantly.
- The blog list? I know that I “get to” share words with others in fun ways because God has given me this skill and He’s using it for His glory.
Listen, friend. We are not on God’s “have to” relationship list – we are His most precious “get to.” You are cherished and beloved. Let’s live like it!
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Thanks for this post, it’s a great reminder and a real game changer – ‘getting to do’ stuff is much more fun, inspiring and rewarding 🙂
As well as rewording our ‘have to’, maybe we can see a ‘get to’ at the end of our ‘have to’ – if you see what I mean! Today I have to keep my little boy up late because I have to collect my older two from a group and my husband will be out. AND because of this I get to have special time with him 1-1 for longer than usual.
Oh I love that perspective 🙂 And that special 1-1 time with your little sounds like a beautiful “get to” at the end of a “have to” (see! I totally followed! hehe.)
Thanks for this post, it’s a great reminder and a real game changer – ‘getting to do’ stuff is much more fun, inspiring and rewarding 🙂
As well as rewording our ‘have to’, maybe we can see a ‘get to’ at the end of our ‘have to’ – if you see what I mean! Today I have to keep my little boy up late because I have to collect my older two from a group and my husband will be out. AND because of this I get to have special time with him 1-1 for longer than usual.
Oh I love that perspective 🙂 And that special 1-1 time with your little sounds like a beautiful “get to” at the end of a “have to” (see! I totally followed! hehe.)
Crystal,
I really needed this post this morning! I always want to gravitate to my “get to” list…vacuuming the house is on the “have to” list today. As you so beautifully pointed out, the difference between our lists is having an attitude of gratitude. When I view my home as a blessing given to me by God and entrusted to my stewardship, all of a sudden it takes on a whole different slant. Sometimes when I’m not feeling as grateful as I should, I say that I have the “grumbles”. Usually, having the grumbles means I need to get into His Word and get an attitude adjustment. Funny how it all starts with being in His Holy Word on a regular basis! Thanks for the encouragement I needed this morning 🙂
Blessings,
Bev
I have had a nagging case of the grumbles all week – I’m so grateful for YOU and your reminder that I need to readjust some priorities and seek an attitude adjustment!
Crystal,
I really needed this post this morning! I always want to gravitate to my “get to” list…vacuuming the house is on the “have to” list today. As you so beautifully pointed out, the difference between our lists is having an attitude of gratitude. When I view my home as a blessing given to me by God and entrusted to my stewardship, all of a sudden it takes on a whole different slant. Sometimes when I’m not feeling as grateful as I should, I say that I have the “grumbles”. Usually, having the grumbles means I need to get into His Word and get an attitude adjustment. Funny how it all starts with being in His Holy Word on a regular basis! Thanks for the encouragement I needed this morning 🙂
Blessings,
Bev
I have had a nagging case of the grumbles all week – I’m so grateful for YOU and your reminder that I need to readjust some priorities and seek an attitude adjustment!
Crystal,
What a wonderful reminder of how we talk to ourselves and others as we go through life and all its many tasks/responsibilities/and adventures. I want to look at my life more this way especially when the way seems overwhelming or hard. When I turn it back to the amazing privilege God has given me to work in a school, take care of a home, tend a garden, share with others in our community….what joy it brings. It helps to bring clarity and perspective like nothing else can. Today I choose to go to my job as a middle school secretary and see each and every task and encounter as a place where God shines through. And when the lists stay long remind myself tomorrow is another day where I “get to” keep working joyfully for the glory of the Lord. I think I’ll post the quote of the “get to’s” not the “have to’s” where it will be a constant reminder. That’s what I like to do….post truth where I can see it over and over til it sticks.
Thanks so much for sharing this message this morning!!
Melanie
Oh Melanie – thank you so much for what you do, day in and day out, on the front lines of middle school! My husband is an elementary school teacher, and I can’t tell you how much what you do is appreciated and needed. {{hug}}
Crystal,
What a wonderful reminder of how we talk to ourselves and others as we go through life and all its many tasks/responsibilities/and adventures. I want to look at my life more this way especially when the way seems overwhelming or hard. When I turn it back to the amazing privilege God has given me to work in a school, take care of a home, tend a garden, share with others in our community….what joy it brings. It helps to bring clarity and perspective like nothing else can. Today I choose to go to my job as a middle school secretary and see each and every task and encounter as a place where God shines through. And when the lists stay long remind myself tomorrow is another day where I “get to” keep working joyfully for the glory of the Lord. I think I’ll post the quote of the “get to’s” not the “have to’s” where it will be a constant reminder. That’s what I like to do….post truth where I can see it over and over til it sticks.
Thanks so much for sharing this message this morning!!
Melanie
Oh Melanie – thank you so much for what you do, day in and day out, on the front lines of middle school! My husband is an elementary school teacher, and I can’t tell you how much what you do is appreciated and needed. {{hug}}
Crystal, I love this post, and the perspective shift it encourages. I have a running (Have) To Do list that taunts me throughout the day. Every day. If I can look at it with a (Get) To Do perspective, it will make it easier to accomplish those items so I can get to the other things (like write!) that I want to do more.
Most days I have the Get To spend time with God attitude, but there are days where I feel like I Have to spend time with HIm. Poor God when I approach Him with that “okay, I’m here. Talk to me” kind of attitude. When I stop and remember that He delights in me, that He treasures me, it shifts my perspective.
I just loved this post today. Thank you!
And I just love your comment – sometimes I write these and then wonder if anyone else feels the same way. Thanks for being a “me, too” today 🙂
Crystal, I love this post, and the perspective shift it encourages. I have a running (Have) To Do list that taunts me throughout the day. Every day. If I can look at it with a (Get) To Do perspective, it will make it easier to accomplish those items so I can get to the other things (like write!) that I want to do more.
Most days I have the Get To spend time with God attitude, but there are days where I feel like I Have to spend time with HIm. Poor God when I approach Him with that “okay, I’m here. Talk to me” kind of attitude. When I stop and remember that He delights in me, that He treasures me, it shifts my perspective.
I just loved this post today. Thank you!
And I just love your comment – sometimes I write these and then wonder if anyone else feels the same way. Thanks for being a “me, too” today 🙂
Crystal, you have a way with words. I am so glad I “get to” read your posts! 🙂
Aw, thanks so much Cheryl! That means a lot!
Aw, thanks so much Cheryl! That means a lot!
I need to remind myself of this daily:) Love the shift in perspective as it applies to our relationship with God, but also in the smaller things too. I get to run because my legs are strong and healthy, I get to volunteer at school because I have the time, etc.
Yes! Love it 🙂
Yes! Love it 🙂
“have to” and “get to” – love. A new perspective and one I need this month as I embark on Write31Days… Thank you Crystal.
Yes, girl. When we get weary and stressed those things we were excited about on the “get to” list suddenly turn into these nagging “have to’s” – keep writing that series! You can do it!
Yes, girl. When we get weary and stressed those things we were excited about on the “get to” list suddenly turn into these nagging “have to’s” – keep writing that series! You can do it!
Thank you, this touched me right where I needed it 🙂
Hopefully like a big hug 🙂
Hopefully like a big hug 🙂
This is a great reminder and was truly needed today. Thanks Crystal!
Preaching to myself on this one, and beyond grateful God can use it to encourage you today friend!
Preaching to myself on this one, and beyond grateful God can use it to encourage you today friend!
I love this so much, great reminder. I tend to want to write more then anything else, pretty sure that is why my kitchen is a mess at the moment. LOL I had to start a series on my blog this Summer called Time with Jesus that forced me to get into His Word, because I knew that otherwise I would neglect my time with Him. Great post!
I love that you combined something on your “get to” list with something you knew God was asking to move over from your “have to” list – that’s a really smart plan! I think I’m going to take a look at some of my to-do lists and see if I can combine a couple tasks with some of my passions 🙂
I love that you combined something on your “get to” list with something you knew God was asking to move over from your “have to” list – that’s a really smart plan! I think I’m going to take a look at some of my to-do lists and see if I can combine a couple tasks with some of my passions 🙂
It is so easy to turn our “get to’s” into “have to’s”! Changing that perspective back to “get to” is a small shift that makes a huge difference and sets our hearts right. Thank you for the reminder, Crystal!
You’re so right – my brain automatically knows how to make something a “have to” – but the work to go the other way is much harder!
You’re so right – my brain automatically knows how to make something a “have to” – but the work to go the other way is much harder!
Can we ever hear this message enough? Timely words for me, my friend.
Appreciate you so much 🙂 xoxo
Appreciate you so much 🙂 xoxo
This is a great post!!! I Get To!!!!!! I Get To!!!! what a great shift from i have to. Thankfulness for all that we have and all that we get to do changes the way we live life. I am going to start writing I GET TO on all of my to do lists. I like to have one on one time with God and when I don’t I really miss out. Constantly I’m making adjustments in my schedule and routines so that I have my time with God. It’s a battle. But its worth fighting for isn’t it? Thanks again for posting. Very powerful post and straight to the heart of truth!!!!
Love this post! A great reminder that we can turn our attitudes around with some perspective and planning! And an attitude of THANKSGIVING makes every task a “get to.”
I “have to” go to the grocery store in the pouring down rain (thank you, Lord, that we are not in want…for providing a job that enables us to buy the food we need); I “have to” do the laundry today (thank you, Lord, for the clothes piled on the floor, because it reminds me of all the activities my family participated in during the past few days…that we have plenty of socks and shorts and towels…what a blessing that is); I “have to” pay these bills (thank you, Lord, that we have a house and lights and air-conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter and clean water…and a way to pay for it all).
Love this post! A great reminder that we can turn our attitudes around with some perspective and planning! And an attitude of THANKSGIVING makes every task a “get to.”
I “have to” go to the grocery store in the pouring down rain (thank you, Lord, that we are not in want…for providing a job that enables us to buy the food we need); I “have to” do the laundry today (thank you, Lord, for the clothes piled on the floor, because it reminds me of all the activities my family participated in during the past few days…that we have plenty of socks and shorts and towels…what a blessing that is); I “have to” pay these bills (thank you, Lord, that we have a house and lights and air-conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter and clean water…and a way to pay for it all).
Great post Crystal! Your story is very touching. As a mom, student and provider, I sometimes forget that if I put God first, then everything else will fall exactly where it needs to be. Thank you for reminding me of that.
God Bless,
Lawana
Great post Crystal! Your story is very touching. As a mom, student and provider, I sometimes forget that if I put God first, then everything else will fall exactly where it needs to be. Thank you for reminding me of that.
God Bless,
Lawana
Crystal,
You are spot on with this post! To often we do the things we “want to” and put off those that are “have to”. I do my best daily to get up early and spend time with God–not as a Have to but as a Get to! Lately I seem to want more of God and His word.
Blessings 🙂
Crystal,
You are spot on with this post! To often we do the things we “want to” and put off those that are “have to”. I do my best daily to get up early and spend time with God–not as a Have to but as a Get to! Lately I seem to want more of God and His word.
Blessings 🙂
One prayer God will ALWAYS answer is “Lord, help me love you more.” Your prayer for ‘get-to’ vision rather than ‘have-to’ lists falls under this category. Lord, help me love spending time with you! I find that He fills me with energy and enthusiasm to see every task as a ‘get-to’. I sometimes fly on eagle’s wings after my time with Him and love every moment of list doing.