what really matters
In the blink of an eye, everything can change. Life in all its magnificence without warning, can suddenly bare all its frailty and vulnerability. I know of very few friends and family that have not partnered with loss and hardship but there are seasons that seem more trying than others. A close friend has lost both her parents in the span of seven weeks. My own sister has been fighting for her life this past week and I, myself have been thrust into a life situation that has broken me inside.
I marvel once again at the splinters of light breaking through the windows and a hefty dose of perspective fills my mind and soul. I am alive. All the striving in life suddenly seems so irrelevant. We get on the daily treadmill of career and greed, never satisfied with the here and now but always reaching for something else. Contentment seems elusive and peace and gratitude feel foreign as we navigate our days in chaos and sheer exhaustion.
Lately, I've been asking myself, “what really matters?" Is it the vacation that you insist you need? A better car? More space? More money? Or is it a longing for the simplicity of days gone by. A time where the pace of life was much slower and the burdens, while still great, were shared among friends and family instinctively. These past weeks and months I've been forced to contemplate what really matters. People matter. Relationships matter. Life matters. In our disconnect from one another we believe that technology has made us better people because we can " stay in touch “ instantly. A brief text, a smiley face, a thumbs up, praying hands, etc. etc. None of these things are wrong but I find myself craving more.
We spend our time trying to impress, trying to be perfect, trying to address anything and everything except what really matters. Time matters. Love matters. Phone calls matter. Smiles, caring and hugs matter. People in the flesh matter!
I couldn't be with my friend this week as her family lived out of state and I couldn't get on a plane and he by my sister’s bedside as she fought for her life and suddenly, I understood. We need each other. God has placed a unique blend of family and friends in each of our lives. They are the treasure we seek. They are the things which we must guard at all costs. Each relationship has a purpose. I like to think of them as “soul banks". We deposit into each other the very things that we may later need to withdraw for ourselves. We invest, not in stocks and bonds and property but in the well-being of others. It's a strategy that has yet to fail me. If you find yourself feeling self centered and ungrateful, then it's time to look around for someone who has a need that you can meet. Gratitude is the antidote for "self”, contentment drives out every form of unrest and discord, and giving smashes lack into a million pieces.
On this brand new Monday morning, what will be your focus? What will drive you? Will it be the same things as always, or will today be the turning point we all so desperately need? Get off your treadmill and stand still. Stop running and start seeing people with new eyes. Sure, it will cost you initially as you learn new perspectives and ways to engage, but it will be so worth it.
P.S. My sister is still very ill, so in this case, I'd appreciate all the hearts, smiley faces and praying hands that you can muster!