A lesson on what matters.

There are a couple of reasons why I don’t often write or talk about my work as a chaplain. The first is for my own spiritual humility; the second is because chaplains, like all healthcare workers, regularly witness and experience things that are truly, truly heavy. There is a lot of negativity in this world, and God tells us to set our minds on things that are good, true and beautiful. (Philippians 4:8)

I do want to share one lesson I’ve had seared into me over the past few months. Every single one of us needs to make sure we are making time to relax and to enjoy life with family and friends. Time is truly precious and we should remember that every single day is a gift from God. Work is important, in fact, the gift of work was given to man by God as part of the original, good creation. Many of us today, however, struggle with the temptation to work and think about work far too much.

When I have been at the bedside with dying patients and families saying goodbye to a person they dearly and deeply love, none of them ever talk about work. They talk about the memories they share with their family and friends. They laugh. They cry. In their final moments, people remember the times they had with their family and friends while they are, we hope and pray, surrounded by those very same people preparing to say goodbye.

This is what matters. People matter. This amazing, modern world we are all blessed to live in has also produced an epidemic of loneliness. Please make sure that God, family and community remain the central focus of your life. Put everything else in its proper place. Cherish every moment, especially during the times when you think you have nothing to cherish. You do.

After he made us, God gave us a responsibility to work but work is not the reason why God created us. We were created for community, family and love both with God and with one another. Remember to make time for family and to enjoy the time you have with the people you love, because they are who you will remember and who will be by your side when you don’t have much time left.