What matters?

What matters? Really.  What matters?  So many times, we get caught up in the busyness of life and forget what is important.

Peaceful. Bliss. Dreamy. Silence. Then..... buzz, your alarm goes off (or in my world, my sound machine is silenced and the silence wakes me up....weird, I know).  You crawl out of that nice, warm, comfy, memory foam mattress, slip your feet into fuzzy socks, grab your glasses, guzzle down your detoxifying drink to get your body ready for the day and then, WHAM, the race begins.

Up the stairs, sound machines off, boys' awakened, clothes picked out (I know I should do it the night before but that would be no fun!), back down stairs to the kitchen to throw breakfast together.  Those two gifts from God come stumbling down the steps, slip into the chair and quietly (the only time of the day they are quiet) eat their breakfast like little robots. Then Daddy yells from the bedroom where he is getting ready, "Hurry up guys!  We have to GO!"  It seems like those words stimulate all of us into a speed that sets the pace for the day.  Teeth brushed, face washed, clothes thrown on, backpacks grabbed and out the door they go ready to begin the day.

From that moment until the moment where I crawl back in bed, turn the sound machine on and the light off, the day is filled with zipping here, there, church, grocery shopping (there is ALWAYS grocery shopping), prayer time, Bible reading, laundry, cleaning the house, food prepared, car rider line - where even then I'm working, homework, church, soccer practice, praise practice, church, e-mail, laundry, exercise - because all of this busyness does not profit the body like real exercise (now that just isn't fair), dirty dishes, and, well, there is always more!

At the end of the day, at the end of the week, at the end of the month, at the end of the year, what REALLY matters?

Did I spend QUALITY time with God and did I spend QUALITY time with my family?  This year, I have purposed in my life to be very intentional about these two things.

For me, QUALITY time with God is first off, prayer.  Not just a breathed prayer while driving from here to there, but time where I KNOW Him and He knows me.  Time reading His word, not just to say, "Oh, I read the Bible through in a year" but time where His word becomes a part of my very being. Time reaching for the lost, not just an outreach done sporadically, but investing time to disciple by opening my home, my heart, and my life to the lost and those that don't even realize they are lost that they might see HIM in me.

For me, QUALITY time with my family means being truly in the moment.  Talking, sharing, playing games, enjoying the great outdoors together.  Dinners where technology is banned and conversation about anything and everything is promoted.  Conversations, both serious and silly, that shape and bond us.  Moments where memories are made are much more important than my house being spotless or my dinner looking like the Pioneer Woman cooked it.  Playing together, praying together, learning about something that is of special interest to each individual, yes - that is what is important.

My hope is that I will make what truly matters in life important and not worry about those things or people in my life that don't impact my eternity.  I want heaven to be my home and I want to take my family with me.  THAT is what really matters in this life!