Let’s talk calendars.  Does that seem odd to you?  Maybe it’s a bit out of the ordinary but keeping our priorities is an important task for each of us.  Especially this time of year with the shopping one tends to do to get ready for Christmas. 

Keeping calendars will eliminate the possibility of just wait and watch “how” your day unfolds and deal with what’s happening at the moment.  Personally I think it’s much easier and more peaceful to make a conscience effort to plan your day and work the plan; in other words, to think ahead and prioritize each day.  

Years ago, before all the electronics, I knew a lady who used a spiral notebook and wrote the date at the top of each page.  Today most people have calendars on their cell phone to help them keep on track of all their daily appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, and the ever famous “to-do” list. 

I use an electronic calendar too; however I still like using a paper calendar.  I lay it on the counter in the kitchen to write notes on quickly and see it as I’m working around the house.  I personally like weekly calendars.  That way I can write my to-do lists on the day I want to accomplish it and check off the items when completed.  If I don’t get it all done a specific day or that week, I re-write that item on the next weekly page.  It’s very helpful to me in two ways: it keeps me focused on what I need and want to do, and checking off those completed really gives me a sense of accomplishment. 

I heard someone say once that they didn’t using calendars because, “it felt like bondage to them, and after all doesn’t the Bible say to take no thought for tomorrow”?  We do read in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore take no thought for tomorrow for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself”.  But that’s talking about the fact that we should not worry — not that we shouldn’t plan, schedule, and set priorities in our life.  Trust me, I see more bondage in NOT keeping a calendar and dealing with the fact that I forgot to do something, then writing my to-do list on the calendar. 

I do realize that this takes discipline and maybe therein lays the problem; we just don’t want to take the time to discipline ourselves and take our rightful responsibilities.  Ugh!  It takes discipline to think and plan ahead.  Before you start getting discouraged let me assure you that everyone must learn this and perfect it in their life.  Don’t give up if you have trouble in this area, just keep working at it. 

Every successful person keeps their schedules on a calendar, not only for their work but their home-life too. 

What it really comes down to is choice.  Joshua 24:15 also talks about choosing how we will serve the Lord. Serving the Lord isn’t just on Sundays it’s in our everyday activities, and includes how we set our days in order to accomplish all that needs to be done.