These He Cannot Take

My wife and I have frequent discussions on the relative importance of things in life. Loud discussions. Seriously, what is important in life?

I suppose the manner of one’s raising, their childhood, skews perceptions on necessity and viability. And, by the way, a person’s biases do not determine right or wrong. We can lean into or away from truth.

If a person is raised on meager fare, they may learn to value even the morsels of life. This is a good thing. Of course, they may turn to negative behaviors, as well, but let’s assume the positive. Gratitude and attitude may be the axes on which enjoyable lives turn.

Contrarily, as the full soul loathes the honeycomb, people raised with bounty may despise same. No aspect of life is more indicative of a person, than the value system. It is not the type or totality of ownership at question, rather the quality of the ownings and the appreciation of the owner.

Whether we savor or squander inherited assets and liabilities, each of us will develop lives around core principles and perceptions. Perceived value does not always align with actual value. Again, what is important in life?

I once read that people with few possessions tend to cling to family members as possessions. While this can be viewed negatively, it is beyond doubt that people are more important than things. Our families, those closest to us, are blessings and important things in life.

I am aware that not all will share warm memories of familial charm. No nuclear unit ever existed without flaws, but some are worthy of the nuclear option. While family bitterness can be overcome through means, those raised without a positive structure suffer loss.

As people are more valuable than items, friendships are important things in life. To have friends, a person must be friendly, and some friends stick closer than others. The bitter sting of betrayal is ever a discouragement, but those who shy from the risk of outreach will garner none of the rewards of true friendships.

Having been with many in the final hours (sometimes minutes) of their lives, my observation is that relationships rather than real estate and other retentions are on the minds of the departing. This alone justifies families and friendships as important things in life. Either involves a third which leads to further relational peace.

Faith is important in life. It is impossible to risk or love without faith. Those who are trusting will suffer loss on many occasions, but the absence of hope in one’s life renders living itself a type of death. There is pain to the loyal but nothing but bitterness for the cynic.

Scripture tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith. So it is that faith opens the door to the relationship which defines every life. Faith in God leading to salvation lends poetry to the present life and promise to the next.

Unverifiable scientifically, faith is, nonetheless, proved experientially. Disaster and death spell ruination in many areas. They do not, however, destroy family, friendships or faith.

Sterl