My friend Tony went home to continue his eternal life in heaven. I will really miss him. For me, there have only been three that I've ever considered true friends, those who accept you warts and all, who'll overlook your faults, who'll be honest with you. You know what I mean.
I will cherish the time I had Tony as a true friend. But, this is what I want to share today: Tony and I met just before thanksgiving for our usual get-together. The conversation over breakfast usually revolved around our Faith and politics as it did that morning. We got to talking about what was happening in the world and the results of the election and he said to me, "you know what matters to me most now? I just want to spend much more time with my family... in 4 or 8 years, I may not even be here..." It was as if he knew something. I sensed a real longing then and some sadness.
I must tell you. Tony was speaking the truth. What does matter most? Our relationship with God. Our loving others. Our really loving our families (spending TIME, with them--with an undivided mind.)
We human beings instinctively strive. In our case the stiving can include: the number of transactions, the Gross Commission Income, the designations, market-share, are some examples. The measures we use for success are :our possessions--the car we drive, the clubs we belong to, the number of contacts who give us praise; our position in our industry, social networks, community, company; the power we think we have over ourselves, over others, over our circumstances--very often we are The Lord of our own Ring and we think we are the higher power in our lives.
All of this striving for more can cost us: we don't invest time where we it's most important to invest it.
What is worth sacrificing our relationship with GOD or with our family? Yes, we can be good Christians and yet, be so worldly that we can forget what is really important.
We don't know the hour when we will depart this life.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (or lose his spouse, children or his friends)
( Mark 8:36)
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