What are the most important things in life?

What are the most important things in life? September 18, 2004

Its the end of a busy week of giving oneself to work. I hope thats the kind of week you have had- its certainly the kind I have! I really do believe that work is important to us, its just not the most important thing in life.

This morning I asked my eldest, Tamasin what is most important in life. We agreed very quickly on a simple set of priorities: God, family, church. Work is definitely a poor 4th

As a veteran bridesmaid (2 weddings and counting, requests for more gratefully received!) she did have weddings as one of them for a while. Preety soon we agreed the wedding was probably one of the most important demonstrations of family. Whilst we all want our friends at our wedding, a wedding is about the coming together of two families to witness a new one being born.

Sadly, this month a few days after our family wedding on 9/11 my uncle died. He wasnt old, and is survived by a wife, three kids and two grandchildren. The family will gather again for the funeral. Somehow it is poignant that my brother and his wife will still be on their honeymoon at the time.

Of course there is rarely such a thing as a secular funeral. The ‘hatch match and dispatch’ interactions with the church are often now limited solely to ‘dispatch’. Sad to think that for many families the only time they go to church is for a funeral. I am glad that our family will come together at church not as strangers but as those for whom church is part of our life. Church becomes family for those who don’t have any and to us it is an extension of our own family. Yes, it comes after my own family, but I am thrilled that even for my seven year old girl we go to a church which makes Sunday her favorite day of the week.

No one ever dies wishing they had spent more time at the office. If the events of the last few weeks have reminded me of anything it is the need to be grateful and keep our worries in perspective. My broken toe now seems so insignificant as it gradually continues to heal.

I am alive, have a great church a great family and am fortunate to still stubbonly believe in God despite what the world around me tells me.


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