Are you like me?

Do you suffer from the idea that if you aren't doing something you deem as "productive," you aren't making the most of your time?

Let me explain. I seem to have this compulsion to do things - things I think are terribly important. I also make lists of hundreds of tasks I should be completing. You can see where this is going, I'm sure. So I have this list of hundreds of things that are terribly important, all which need to be completed yesterday. Oh yes, complete ridiculosity. I know. Wait, though, because it gets even better! Add to that a bit of guilt of each of the tasks left on the list, and equal parts procrastination and putzing, and you have created my to do list.

Not familiar with putzing? Oh! Well, then! Let me explain that idea. Since there are so many tasks to complete, I select a task that, while that task itself does need to be completed, meets one, or more, of following descriptions:
1. Requires at least 10-15% more time than I have available to actually complete the task.
2. Requires more people, equipment, tools, or technique than I currently have at my disposal.
3. Requires my complete attention, though Iam currently unable to lend it to that specific task.
4. Lends itself to the completion of another task prior to 1st task's completion.
5. Could theoretically have remained on the un-ending to do list until the truly important tasks were completed.
6. Has some degree of fun or creativity involved.
7. Allows for some degree of distraction.
8. Requires me to create another to-do list prior to completing the putzing-task itself, as the putzing task meets one of the previously mention criterion (lack of tools, technique, etc.).

Usually, a putzing-task is one I select when I have too many undesirable tasks on my to-do list. So instead of picking a task that... umm... well isn't fun or exciting or easy... I pick a putzing task which will inevitably occupy the time I would have had to complete the actual task. Yep. That's putzing at it's finest.

Now, with that understanding of putzing, and the previous explanation of productivity, imagine the exponential growth of guilt I put myself through each day. I roll my eyes at myself just thinking about the unbelievable nature of my task-selection skills. Adding to my bizarre nature is the fact that I know in what order I should complete my tasks; I simply choose not to.

God shifted my thinking the other day. He showed me I am not a freak of nature, and should not cast this guilt upon myself, as He lovingly reveals in these verses.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV), "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Job 15:11-16 (MSG), "Are God's promises not enough for you, spoken so gently and tenderly?Why do you let your emotions take over, lashing out and spitting fire, Pitting your whole being against God by letting words like this come out of your mouth? Do you think it's possible for any mere mortal to be sinless in God's sight, for anyone born of a human mother to get it all together? Why, God can't even trust his holy angels. He sees the flaws in the very heavens themselves,So how much less we humans, smelly and foul, who lap up evil like water?"

Hebrews 10:14 (NLT), "For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy."

(any bolded texts are that way for my emphasis).

I have to say that doing this search has helped me. He put that string in front of me, and rewarded my following it with His promises and reassurances that He is lovingly showing me how to become, and how to love, who He knows I already am.