The Value of "Lists"

I giggled to myself yesterday while reading a dear friend's email to me. She had asked for advise about something but parenthetically inserted, "No lists please!" She must know me pretty well. Smile. In my mind, there is not much that can't be fixed, corrected, or made to happen when a list is involved. I make a lot of lists in my life. In fact, I achieve almost as much satisfaction in making a list towards the accomplishment of something as I do the actual accomplishment!
Lists can be an invaluable tool in a busy mother's (especially a busy homeschooling mother's) life. I make lists each year of goals that I hope to achieve with each individual child. I make lists in those frustrating moments of life when I fully understand my sin and realize that serious changes must occur. I write out lists for chores for my children. I make "honey-do" lists for my husband on Saturday mornings (and he's so sweet to usually do a few of the things each time!). I make lists when I'm having company and I start to fret about the menu choices and food to prepare and buy. I make lists of subjects to study, resources to buy, friends to write, books to read, tasks in the garden to accomplish .......
I know that there are wonderful programs out there that replace the need for lists (see sidebar for Titus2 website). I've read them. I've owned them. I've given them away. I prefer my lists. There is something comforting in having direction to my actions. There's something even more powerful in seeing the items on the list crossed off (see -- I'm secretly a very sick person!). Never underestimate the power of a list to help you stay on track and to provide a guide in those what-should-I-tackle-next moments.
I encourage you -- don't be afraid to make a list. Use it faithfully. Write them regularly. Consider it pre-Alzheimer's help. I do.