This list-making started to pour into other areas of my life. A while back, I had a few days where I was a little frustrated at Jo. I knew he had a lot going on, and I held back throwing my frustrations at him. Instead I added to the list, thanking God for Jo. I listed all the ways he helps me, cares for me, provides, and loves our kids. While reading my list over, I realized that I had allowed my few days of frustration to edge out my love for him. I missed him and was filled with gratitude. Whatever was bothering me still needed to be discussed, but my attitude was much more gentle and could wait until he was not in a stressful mode. I also gave him the list and thanked him.
All of this reminds me that most of our days are filled with lists. We get to choose if its positive or negative. We can decide to choose love or frustration in our relationships. And what we decide changes our every step. Frequently, I think I need to get another list going because too often I let a clingy child, an extra load of laundry, or another snow day crowd my list when instead I could be choosing love, gratitude, and joy. The year that a new child enters our home feels like the perfect time to start.
"The brilliant don't deny the dark but they are the ones who always seek the light in everything. This is not ignorance. This is imperative." -Ann Voskamp