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Think On These Things Newsletter>
The Man With A List
July 29, 2008
There is a man who has a list. It is a very good list, neatly written, within the lines and margins (keeping a respectful distance) of the page from the legal pad. Neatly removed, of course, with no tears in the perforated edge. Every line is full except the last two. He has to have some flexibility.
This very good list is a list of all of his other very good lists. These very good lists are posted on the perfectly clean walls of his bedroom. That way he can admire them when he wakes up and when he goes to bed. He cleaned the walls thoroughly before starting with his lists. If he had started the lists before cleaning the walls, he would have had to cross off “Clean walls” - written in his inimitable, meticulous handwriting. And that would cause a messy list and he can not have that.
Each list is exactly level with the previous list on that row, held up by a thumbtack in each of the top corners. Placed exactly three-eighths of an inch below the list above. There is not a wrinkle in the lot. One entire wall and a third of another are covered with neatly written and neatly posted lists.
At forty years old, he has a lot of lists yet to make. Every morning he rises out of bed, fixes a pot of coffee, and makes two pieces of toast (butter and black cherry preserves). After eating breakfast, he takes a quick shower. None of which is on any of the lists. If he puts it on a list, he will have to cross it off. And that would mean a messy list and he can not have that.
Then he sits at the table between the living area - couch, end table, chair, coffee table and TV - and the kitchenette. With a container of perfectly sharpened pencils and a legal pad, he begins making lists. First he looks over his pride and joy - the master list. He reads it over again with the pride of a father for his child. He bows his head and says a prayer for the day’s lists.
Then he spends all day writing lists, adding them to the master list, and tacking them on the wall. Lunch at noon and dinner at six. After dinner he watches the news, making note of any new lists he should make. He regularly sends lists to the city council, the school board, and his congressman. They always reply and thank him for his concern. He is glad that he can help.
His life is simple. It has to be. If he alters his life, he has to make another list. Which of itself is a good thing, except then he would have to cross off what he did. Which would result in a messy list and he can not have that. He buys the same things from the market each week. The market has his grocery list so he will not have to make a grocery list and cross the items off.
On the wall behind the couch hangs a picture frame containing a piece of brilliant white paper. On the paper, in black ink, in his neatest script, is Matthew 12:36-37. “I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (NRSV)
He takes his work very seriously. When people pass him by and snicker, he assures himself that they just do not understand. Which of course they actually do not. People do not understand the disciples either, he tells himself. But he does not really feel like he is doing God’s work. That is up to God. He simply controls as much of life as he can. Since that is not much, he has his lists.
One of his lists is a list of the Ten Commandments. Another is a list of important proverbs. Another a list of Jesus’ sayings. And there are topical lists of verses having to do with certain subjects. He makes duplicates of his biblical lists. It allows him to keep making lists. The duplicates he posts on bulletin boards as he passes them: in laundromats, rec centers, convenience stores, apartment buildings and so on.
He sincerely feels he is doing God’s work. And in his own way he is. He is spreading God’s word and in his own unique fashion, helping his neighbor. He reads his Bible and prays daily. He goes to church every Sunday - albeit with lists of hymns, sermon suggestions, and alternative schedules.
Although he might seem odd to you, consider the ways in which he serves the Lord. With all of the work and worry and innumerable duties and obstacles that are present in nearly every person’s lives on a daily basis you may think that he did not do enough. But consider the following questions.
As busy as your life is, with the number of people you come into contact with, are you actually doing as much as a professed Christian as he is with his simple life? If his way of serving is simplistic, how is your way more fulfilling? What makes the better Christian - how much a person does or the quality of what - including little things - he/she does?
Peace be with you.
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