I want to make a lifestyle of choosing people over tasks. I'm more of a type-A, task-oriented person and so I can get bogged down with my to-do list. I can become so blind to what's going on around me simply because I'm preoccupied with all the "things" I have to do.
What are these "things" anyways? Studying, cleaning, laundry, bills, meetings... do any of these involve relationship? Some maybe. Some in a round-about way. But whether they do or they don't, I want to be able to say "no" to my to-do list when there people in front of me I can be loving on.
*In saying all of this, it is with the underlying assumption that I am not negating commitments or responsibilities.*
I want to be able to say no to cleaning or doing laundry so that I can spend time with my husband and build a lasting relationship. It is the accumulation of day to day connection that will keep us strong.
I want to be able to say no to studying and spend time with a friend who needs me.
I want to say no to doing the dishes and taking my recycling so I can be involved in a church/community event.
I want to say no to things so I can love on and be in relation with people.
Relationship is where the life is - it is what God created us for!
I don't want to starve or deprive myself of loving others or being loved by others simply because I can't say no to my to-do list. The to-do list will get done. Or it won't. And even if it doesn't, it's not the end of the world. My life won't fall apart because I didn't complete everything I intended. But it will have joy, excitement, and love because of my choice to be present with people.
I'm not there yet - but this is where I want to be. Sometimes I struggle. Sometimes I outright fail at choosing people over my to-do list, but I'm on the journey to where I want to be.
I want to live a life choosing people over things.
