What Really Matters

It happened again. I spent the week before Easter caught up in thinking about getting ready for Easter dinner. I wanted to keep my focus on the resurrection of Christ and instead found myself thinking about what foods I was going to prepare for Easter dinner and making preparations for the big day. I fall victim to this every holiday. I have such good intentions but they seem to get lost in the mad rush to get things ready.

I got up Friday morning and didn't even take time to read my Bible or pray. My  mind was racing with thoughts of what needed to be done, and I rushed right into the day. I made a list for the grocery store and headed out to get some last minute things for Easter. It took me much longer than I expected. Apparently, many other people decided to go shopping early to beat the crowd. The store was packed and the lines at the check-out were long. My quick trip turned into several hours, causing me to feel stressed and irritable.

I was speeding home (yes, I literally was going about 20 miles per hour over the speed limit) when I passed the home of a Mennonite family getting in their van. I assume they were probably going to attend a Good Friday service at their church. The little girls were dressed up in their sweet dresses and bonnets. The father was carrying his Bible and both he and his wife were dressed nicely. I'm ashamed to admit that I had forgotten that it was Good Friday up until that moment. I had spent the morning at Walmart rather than taking a moment to reflex on what day it was. Conviction hit me hard and I felt sick.

After arriving home, I sat down and prayed, asking God to forgive me for losing focus of what truly was important in light of what seemed so urgent. It's such a blessing to serve a loving and forgiving God. I'm so thankful he forgives me when I falter and fail repeatedly.  Having a perfect Easter dinner or a clean house will not matter in eternity. I need to be careful about the example I am setting for my children and grandchildren. Our actions always speak louder than our words. When my time on this earth is through, I want them to remember a mother and grandmother who loved and served God. That is what really matters.