Writing an eulogy for my dad’s funeral this summer, I reflected on the totality of my life with him to distil the one thing I have with me from him forever.
It was a task indeed; 40 plus years into a few lines. I pondered on my days growing up, holidays, schooling, living in different continents, even as I married man and now as a father myself.
Firstly, I thanked God for the privilege of having a father in my life as in today’s world many have neither their biological nor any form of father figure in their lives. I appreciated the time, joys, fun, scolding, advice and instructions he gave in his lifetime.
Distinctly, one thread that ran through my upbringing was his question, reminder, advice or call it the “still small voice” asking if what I was to engage in was the “priority”.
This question was and remains a beacon for my travels in life as the nugget of gold deposited by my dad helping me navigate the decisions I make. Yes I have made colossal deviations and errors from what seemed the obvious priority but to err is human and I continue to learn and fine tune my perspective and my process of evaluating the order and importance which form my priorities.
We often hear about life is about the choices we make but I strongly believe if the compass of priority is disengaged or dysfunctional, the choices are bound to arrive at the wrong destination.
Today’s world of the fast lane, instant gratification and maximum exposure we owe the generations to come tuition on priorities of life. We have so much being spewed out on the immediate, the popular and the self-satisfying but little about sacrifice, contentment and selflessness so a pinch of life’s real priorities will surely help ground the future generations to theirs and our benefit.
Each day I remind my children that priority must have definition in them so they can enjoy life to the fullest in the right perspective with Jesus at the core. I hope and pray just as my dad gave this to me they will receive it wholeheartedly for their travel in life.
“We had more in common than I thought we did. You were my priority. You were your priority.”
― Kate McGahan
“Life is short. Focus on what really matters most; you should change your priorities over time.”
― Roy T. Bennett
“When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.”
― Ezra Taft Benson
Louis Corner 