By: Wally, The Wally Show
Every day when I sit down at my computer to work, I see my sticky to-do list for the day. Yes, I am fully aware that one of the core competencies of a computer is to organize lists like this – but I’m old school and love physically marking things off of my to-do list. Few things in life are quite as satisfying.
However, there is one thing not crossed off on the top of my list. That’s because it is not completed… and it won’t be completed for a few more years. The item simply says, “Theresa/Michael.” I write it at the top of my to-do list every time I start a new list to make sure I do not forget about it.
Theresa called me after I shared my family’s story on the air about my brother doing time in prison. I had talked about how God used that time to radically change my brother, and I shared about our family’s struggle to navigate a broken system as we tried to help him get his life back when he got out.
This conversation resonated with Theresa, and she proceeded to share the story of her son Michael with me. Michael is in prison, and it has been extremely difficult on her and her family. She spends many days crying, praying, and worrying for her son, but hearing my family’s story of restoration gave her hope that things could be good again for her son and their family.
This is why we share our stories – especially the not-so-pretty stuff – because we never know how God is going to use them to help someone else.
The reason I write and rewrite Theresa’s and Michael’s names on every to-do list is because it reminds me to pray for them every day. That’s not something I take lightly. I know we can sometimes use it as a way to exit a conversation – “Okay, I’ll be praying for you” – but if we say that, we really need to make sure we’re following through with that promise.
I look forward to the day when Michael is home with his mom. I know firsthand what a great day that is, and I can’t wait for them to get to experience that. Then and only then will I cross them off of my to-do list!
