What’s your most important thing today?

Earlier this week, I watched an interview with Greg McKeown, author of the book “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less”. I haven’t read the book, but plan to. He asked one question in the interview that has been sticking in my head and heart:

“What’s the most important thing you need to do today?”

The answer will change day to day, but it’s the thinking about it that has affected me.

The next logical question that it leads me to  ask is, “What is most important and why?”

Is my writing most important? Is my relationship with my friends most important? What about my time with my kids? Paying the bills? Mopping the floor? Taking my daughter to the doctor? Taking a breath outside by myself and giving my anxieties to Jesus? 

What makes something important? Is it important if it earns money? If it adds notoriety an recognition to my name? What does Jesus consider to be important?

Sometimes taking care of myself is the most important thing and I need to remember that. If I’m not healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually, I won’t be as useful to those around me and ultimately to God. So maybe drinking 8 glasses of water and going to the gym is the most important thing today. Or making that appointment for the routine checkup I’ve been putting off for so long. Or saying no to that extra brownie or cookie. 

Maybe spending time praying and reading my Bible is my most important thing. Or giving thanks. Or choosing joy in a season of frustrations.

Sometimes being present for my kids is the most important thing. Stopping and really listening to that story or heart concern. Taking the time to patiently walk through that math problem with them and help them understand. Asking the deep questions in the car while running errands. Picking up a fun treat for lunch to raise morale on a gloomy day. Laughing and wrestling with them. 

Other days, spending quality time with my husband is the most important thing. Listening with attention as he shares his concerns for the future of our country and the safety of our family. Sending him an encouraging text during the day or showing affection. Doing the simple things to show him that he’s appreciated and loved. 

Listening to a friend. Buying a meaningful gift. Doing the laundry. Paying the bills. Those things are important. Suddenly the things that are usually ordinary become extraordinary. The little things become the big things. 

The normal and mundane become holy. 

(I’m pretty sure that checking email or facebook on my phone is usually not my most important thing.) 

When I take a few minutes to think about it, I instinctively know what’s important. 

The problem is that I rarely take a few minutes to think about it. 

I just go through my day doing the next thing. I make my to do list without considering what I should prioritize. 

It’s not that many things aren’t important. I can do more than one thing in a day. So if I prioritize being a good listener to my kids, it doesn’t mean that the laundry doesn’t get done. Going to the gym doesn’t mean I can’t look at facebook. For me, it’s more about me feeling like I’ve accomplished something important at the end of the day. 

I’m an enneagram 3, for those who are familiar with that personality system. I like to get things done - accomplish stuff. But I struggle sometimes feeling like I’m not accomplishing what I should be. Or the things I accomplish don’t seem significant enough. It’s a vague feeling that I’m missing something. 

But if I stop and consider what’s really important and then make sure I do those things, then I feel like my life has purpose and significance. It’s not that I’m doing things that are so different. It’s more about reminding myself of what I already know - what’s really important. 

What’s the most important thing for you to do today?