One of the books I've been reading and studying this summer issues a challenge to carve out time for the people in our lives who are our top priority. You know what I mean, living on purpose, by design with those we love; not just squeezing in time for them or throwing them the proverbial bone when we are done with everything else. But really setting aside other things to show them just how much we love them and that they matter.
Our most ambitious quest in this life should be to seek more intimacy with God, spouses, children and friends. The only way to know someone more intimately is to spend more time with them. Neglecting those precious loved ones can be harmful to our most valuable relationships. We are capable of poisoning our future with loved ones by simply mishandling the present. I think of the marriages lost, the children who act out because they feel ignored and abandoned, the friend who falls by the wayside because we forgot to call.
God has taught us to how to love through the sacrifice of His own son. Why would anyone give up their son? Because, people matter to God, we matter to God...enough for Him to give up the most precious thing to Him...Jesus. So then, people should matter to us. What are we willing to give up so that they feel valued and precious? If God can give up His Son for me, surely I can give up a phone call, a TV show or a night in front of the computer for my loved ones. I know this life doesn't make it easy to put aside distractions and focus on people. Life is hard and times are tough for many of us. But the very heart of what gets us through this life and tough times is our family and our friends. The memories that we make can carry us through a lot and tell a wonderful story. After all home is where our story begins.
Sometimes, as evening is drawing near, I like to get away to a quiet place by myself and mentally, spiritually wash the dirt of the day away. I close my eyes and get up on His lap, lay my head on His shoulder and just stay there a minute. I can almost hear Him whispering in my ear how much He loves me. I can almost feel the touch of His hand on my hair. There, in that moment, I give up my day to Him, cast my cares on Him. Dear Heart, I actually feel refreshed and clean and ready for time to spend with my family.
I pray that today my family feels cherished by me. I purpose in my heart to let them know that they matter...to God, to me, to the world. And Lord, I lift up each of my readers and pray that they each know how much they matter to you! You are a good and faithful Father who never leaves or forsakes us!
From His Lap,
