If you stopped by our home in Michigan before our move, you would've seen a huge bright green poster board on our wall. That was our pre-move TO-DO list.
I love the thrill of creating a list and the joy of crossing
something off. It's a measurable way to see if my day has been 'successful' and
gives me purpose and guides how I spend my time each day. I am certainly guilty
of adding things to my lists after their already done, just so I can cross one
more thing off. Anyone with me on that? I KNOW I'm not alone...
ONE THING
Being in Africa, I've been told by numerous people to have only
ONE goal for your day. ONE. Not a long to-do list for each day, just ONE goal. ONE
thing to accomplish. ONE task to manage.
You may be thinking, "But Gretchen, you don't have a
'job', Isaac is in school every day, the girls still nap, you have a gardener
& house worker (which is another post altogether!) to do all your yard
work, laundry, dishes, etc. Can't you accomplish more in a day than just one
task?"
Good question.
Let me give you the an example of a 'one-task day' that my
friend recently had. She dropped her husband & kids off at school just
after 7am and then had one goal for the day, which seemed simple: find 'mince' (hamburger/ground
beef).
Well, for starters, she had been to the 'big' grocery store
a few days prior and could not find it there, which is not uncommon. Some days
they have a product, other days you can't find it anywhere. The selection
changes daily. So, with that option already out, she spent her day going to
three different butchers. Three different butchers does not sound that
time-consuming or difficult, right?
The thing is, we
don't have the yellow pages here. Or the ability to google "Butchers in
Dar" with much success. You find them by asking around to friends or by
seeing one randomly as you drive by (not knowing how clean/sanitary/fresh it is).
And when you do find a butcher that looks decent, you can't guarantee what
they'll have. And you need to be sure to know how to say what you're looking
for in Swahili, because there is a chance they won't speak English
("ninaomba nyama ya ng'ombe"). And if you don't know how to say it,
you have to find someone to help you translate, because we all know google
translate isn't always accurate. And you have to be ready to get stuck in
traffic, depending on the time of day. And if you get stuck in traffic, you
need to be prepared with a cold bag or something to keep the meat in.
So, my dear friend went to three butchers. She did not find
any mince. That meant she had to change her dinner plan for the evening. Dinner
plans already take quite a bit of time, due to obviously finding all the
ingredients you need, hoping the power is on to cook (though we have a gas
stove - not everyone does) or that the
power hasn't gone out recently spoiling your food, & cooking everything
from scratch. Good thing you can always fall back on PB&J!
This is just one example of how one-goal can take a majority of a day here. I could give countless other examples!
This is just one example of how one-goal can take a majority of a day here. I could give countless other examples!
BEING, NOT DOING
I am learning, though very slowly, what it looks like to
"be" instead of always feeling like I need to "do". It's
been a significant transition for me from working/ministry for the last 11
years to now figuring out my role and purpose here. It's honestly been a little
bit of an identity crisis. My ministry shaped so much of who I was/am, but I'm
no longer a youth pastor. So, who am I? I can't identify myself by what I'm doing
to the same extent I could before. I can't fill my days with to-do lists to feel a sense of accomplishment or worth - I'd fail every time! I think that's a good thing. I recognize
that I've been a bit of a Martha instead of a Mary (Luke 10).
So, pray for me as I learn how to slow down, sit at the feet
of Jesus and enjoy what he is teaching me and showing me. I'm learning how to
be more present with my girls as I have the privilege of being with them each
day. I'm learning how to support others in their areas of ministry through
prayer. I'm learning from so many wise people here - about faith, ministry,
culture, expectation. I'm learning how NOT to jump into every opportunity for
ministry (DO), but to seek the Lord and wait on him (BE). I'm learning how to
support Marc in his huge task as a Bible teacher at HOPAC. I'm learning how to
laugh at myself as I make mistakes. I'm learning how to be okay with accomplishing one thing a day instead of ten, and being more prayerful about how I spend my time.
This is a new season. A season of being.
I am excited to DO - please don't get me wrong. And when I'm
honest, I feel slightly guilty for not doing more right now. I feel like I owe
it to those of you supporting us to show results, fruit, proof of the
usefulness of your sacrificial giving. It will come. I know the Lord has called
not only Marc to TZ, but me too. I know he has ministry in store for me. I'll
let you know when He reveals to me what it is. In the meantime, I appreciate
your prayers during this new season of my faith and life.
So, my one goal today, the one thing I hope to 'do'? Go to the local coffee roaster to buy more coffee. Becasue lets be real - not many other goals or tasks can even be accomplished when you're out of coffee!
So, my one goal today, the one thing I hope to 'do'? Go to the local coffee roaster to buy more coffee. Becasue lets be real - not many other goals or tasks can even be accomplished when you're out of coffee!
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
Psalm 73:28
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
