A little perspective

Noah told me to put my iphone down the other day while we were in his room playing cars. Kyle & Natalie will undoubtedly get a big laugh out of that, but in my defense, I was planning a playdate for later in the day. Noah's request, or demand, did give me pause however and made me think how often the "most pressing" usurps the "most important." I thought about how often I make decisions without taking a step back to consider the big picture, how often I focus on the here and now without taking the time to consider the future. I began to ask myself some uncomfortable questions and found myself struggling with the answers. And yes, all this while racing matchbox cars and building lincoln log cabins for Polly Pockets. Just a sampling...

*Do I really have to say no when the children ask for one more story or when they ask if we can play car wash on the deck? Granted there are times when things such as those are just not feasible, but not often. They're young, and my time with them is limited. It shouldn't always matter whether I want to play or not. I imagine that the day will come years from now when I'll wish Noah would ask me to play football while I'm loading the dishwasher or Rach would want me to read a chapter book while I'm making supper.

*Is it really that big of a deal if Rach wants to wear her princess dress to basketball? Again there are times when its important to dress appropriate for the occasion, but not as often as we like to think. We're just heading to the gym to watch Jared play basketball with some guys from church. Does it really matter that my daughter is dressed as Cinderella? Or would it be better for me to let her enjoy picking out her clothes and getting ready all by herself?

*Am I going to remember a slightly offensive statement in 5 yrs? I can barely remember everything a friend and I talked about two nights ago, much less 5 years ago. And I'm pretty sure that my memory will get worse as I get older and not better. Wouldn't it just be better for me to go ahead and forget that that comment ticked me off now?

*Will it really bother me years from now that Jared didn't pick up his socks last night? Sure it frustrated the crap out of me this morning, but if something were to happen to him, would I care two straws about the stupid socks?

*Is that apology that I think I'm owed more important than that relationship? Again, if something were to happen to this person, would I honestly be still wanting an apology at their funeral? Wouldn't I much rather just be wronged and move on instead of letting a relationship be put on hold indefinitely?

*Do I know what kind of day the lady at the drive-thru had? Do I know all she has been through in her life? Regardless of that, am I even truly entitled to a polite greeting just because I decide I 'need' a frappachino?

*What will matter in the light of eternity?

Perspective is a very humbling, sobering thing. At least it is for me. I need those random reminders, such as a request to put my iphone down, to bring me back to that which is truly reality. So often I allow myself to become distracted with stuff that just does not matter. Lord, help me to see life, all of life, even the mundane everyday, thru the light of the cross.