Most people make them ... and have different kinds of them. Lists!
I had a boss once who would write his important lists or to-do on yellow sticky notes and then stick them all over his jacket!
We learn to make lists to help us organize our lives. I guess the ol’ “Santa Christmas List of What I want from Santa Claus” is one of our first lists?
Maybe the chores our parents gave us were lists on the refrigerator for us to remember to do before the parents arrived home. Or in school we may have been taught to make lists of assignments, things to do, things to bring to school, or dates to remember.
Careers and work definitely taught me to make lists. Lists can break big jobs into manageable tasks, keep your mind organized and less cluttered, and help you get things done so you can check them off your list and throw it away!
Sept. 4 is the anniversary of my mother’s passing from here to heaven. She is often on my mind these days. I remember her lists. And I remember the preparations she made as she worked, kept us organized at home,and dealt with growing older.
On one visit, I noticed a travel bag in her room and asked her about it.
“Oh,” she said, “That’s my Stricken in the Night Bag.”
Then she continued to explain to me: “When you get older and live by yourself, you have to be prepared. I make lists to remind me of things to do. And I fixed this bag if I get sick in the night and have to call for help to get to a doctor. I have a set of clothes, a list of my medicines and doctors, and stuff I would need. Lipstick and hair stuff. You, know.”
Yes, lipstick was always a necessity of life!
But as I get older, I find myself with my versions of “Stricken in the Night” preparations. Maybe not a bag, but ways to keep myself and important health information together in case of emergency.
It seems I know more doctors, clinics and pharmacies than ever! Every time I have to give a medical history, it gets longer. I advise keeping a list of your doctors, phone numbers, address and specialty. When you are asked to fill out forms at the doctor’s office, it will help with your medical history.
Another list is contacts for emergencies!
Then there is the medicine list that grows with age, it seems. What you take, how often, how much, and why is something you fill out time and again as you try to maintain health and fitness.
Don’t get discouraged, though! Aging is stressful and causes big changes in our lives, but we can adapt and we have Someone who will always be with us!
Isaiah 46:4 tells us, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue.”
So let’s make our “Stricken in the Night” preparations and trust our mighty God to be with us!
And remember, mama says remember your lipstick!
