There are important things that have to be done. Often the numbers of important things are more numerous than the hours available to accomplish them. It happened to me the other day. Now, here’s the confession: when the number of important things to be done multiply one’s sense of importance grows in proportion.

I was feeling very important the other day, resultant from the long list of things “to do”, all of which were important. There was a magazine article whose deadline was approaching. A book review had been promised a publisher. There was this column which was going to be due in a couple of days. The events of Holy Week required extra sermons and more time at the church. Each extra service required preparation of an additional worship service. Are you getting the picture? Oh, did I mention there was a baptism service sandwiched smack dab in the middle of the Holy Week activities?

I rose early in the morning, headed for my little study with coffee in hand. The desk was actually neat and clean. All extraneous items had been filed, stored, or disposed of. Everything was good for go. As with most people who have important things to accomplish, the list was consulted and priority designations were indicated beside each. That done, one more sip of coffee was preparation for attacking the item of most importance. I did so. For approximately twenty minutes I worked diligently. It wasn’t happening.

I moved to item number two in the order of priority. Item one was placed in a folder on the stack of important things to be done placed, that is, on the top of the pile as befitting its priority designation. Item two got approximately fifteen minutes of my time. It wasn’t happening, however.

I moved on to item three. Item two was placed in its folder and assigned a spot in the stack directly beneath item one keeping its priority in line. I worked on item three for approximately ten minutes before I realized what the problem was. I headed to the kitchen to refill my coffee cup. That done, item three was addressed again. Finally progress was being made. I stayed on task for over an hour. The words were flowing. The goal now seemed possible. Ant then there was the knock on the door.

Answering the door, I was confronted by two beautiful young females. Both had grins that melted the heart and eyes that were pools of enchantment. “Hello!” they greeted my surprise. “We’re on spring break so let’s do lunch!” I peeked around them to behold the mother of my granddaughters sitting in her car with a big, happy, smile on her face.

I secured the dog; jumped in the car and we headed off to “do lunch.” After lunch, the day was not to be wasted. Mom, two granddaughters, and an elated granddaddy headed around the back roads of the county to see what sights there were to behold. There were many: deer, a fox, horses, beaver along with the dam and house, red tailed hawks, rippling waters of streams.

Passing by the recreation complex in Sonoraville the youngest yelled out, “Holy moley, look how big that playground is.” Big playgrounds are to be enjoyed. We had it all to ourselves. Another two hours were occupied.

“Did you get everything on your list done?” the wife asked that night.

“Nope,” I said. “Those things weren’t that important.”