What Matters

I have been thinking about what matters.

We all spend a lot of time and effort worrying about what matters.

We may call it different things.

We may call it being relevant.

We may call it being right.

We may call it “finding ourselves”.

We may call it a thousand different things but it all boils down to what are we doing with our lives and what difference does it make?

Life is hard.

Anyone who tells you differently is either lying, insane or trying to get something from you.

Things don’t often go the way we think they should. Or maybe we just pay more attention to the bad things.

we were never promised by anyone that is trustworthy that we would have perfect, pain free, tragedy free guiltless lives.

Those preachers who say that this is not true are either the worst liars or they have never read the gospels. Probably some of both.

So, what does matter?

Money. It comes and goes. When we die what good is it?

Security? Right.

Prestige. See Money above.

Family. You may not have a family as we think of it  but there is a family.

Love. Hopefully we all have had someone who has loved us. We certainly have One who loves us radically and unconditionally.

Last night I read the Beatitudes in Matthew.

Start at the beginning but if you are impatient start at chapter 5.

Don’t read it as though it is abstract or for some future date but as what Jesus was teaching us then and right now.

What matters?

Our babies.

Our freinds.

Our family.

All those we love.

All those we hate.

I hear a lot of vitriolic talk today about the president and the government. I don’t agree with a lot or even most of what is going on. But, we are told to love our enemies and pray for them.

What matters is today.

Right now.

Those who are close to you.

Those who are not.

Those who have passed on.

Those who are estranged.

Those who hate you.

Right now.

Tomorrow has enough problems of its own. Let’s deal with what is right in front of us and know what is truly important.

We cannot control what other people think or do. We can control what we think and do (sometimes).

Love like there is no tomorrow.

Laugh like you mean it.

Cry and be cleansed not defeated.

Be good.

Be bad.

Be happy in spite of all the things and people that say not to be. Not stupidly as the prosperity preachers tell it but just because you can.

Do something sacrificial today. Or don’t and don’t feel guilty about it.

Tell someone that you love them and mean it. Or don’t and don’t feel guilty about it.

So? What matters?

I may be bankrupt in a few weeks.

I may be sick.

My loved ones may be sick or hurt or hurting.

Love. Love. Love.

What matters?

You.

(I just liked this picture.)