Priorities...Life is a River

I love listening to music...or even singing!!! No matter where I am, or what I am doing...I do it better listening to music. Among my favorite genres is definitely Celtic/Irish Folk music. I love bagpipes, panpipes, etc...most wind instruments...maybe it is in my genes; after all, I am told that my last name, Blosser, in the original German is Blauser, which means blower of air, or something along that line.

Life is a River is a great Irish folk song, with a lot of meaning and even a good lesson to teach.

In this life, we often talk about going with the flow, in both positive and negative connotations, and often make decisions based upon where we view ourselves, or how we view the society around us. Sometimes we consider it to be safe or less tolling to go with the flow, or other times we talk about being different, not following the status quo, etc.

But how often do we consider that what should really, truly be important to us, are those that are with us on this river? No matter what our convictions are, or what your life choices have been, life is often like a river, and many things are not in our control. I understand the concept of reaping what you sow, and that all of our decisions have consequences; I also believe that God often shows his grace and mercy, in guiding our lives beyond what we could ever expect or even hope for. However, the currents on this river of life often throw us a curveball, and we can never see what is around the next bend.

So, as much importance as we put on the direction we travel, wether with or against the current, or as much as we place our path in God's hands, or in rolling the dice, fate, or in the consequences of our own choices, is that what we must really focus on in our journey down this river? Are we really to spend all of our time, focus and purpose on where I want to go, and how to get there?

Should there not be an equal, if not greater importance, on those that are making the same trip with us, those whose paths often cross ours, be it even for an hour, a few days, or years? Do I want to reach the end of life (yeah, can I afford to?) and realize that I took such great care in my trip down this river, and never gave a thought for others, either traveling with me, at the same time, or those who will come after me?

In our ministry of pastoral care, we are always stressing the importance of balance, a balance between ministry and family, work and personal time, a balance in life itself. Many of the problems, stress and illnesses that we face, are results of an imbalance in our life.

Too often we applaud someone going all out, giving every last part of their being to one specific thing, occupation or goal, and yet put the same people down when they burn out or can no longer go on at the same pace that they were going.

Sometimes, we need to go with the flow, not knowing where it will take us, but joyful that we can do so with those that are closest to us. A family, loved ones, are the most important physical gift that can be given to a man or woman. And at the end of life, this winding, turning river, it will not just matter what we have done with our lives, and with what was given us, but also by how we have treated those closest to us, and those that we have helped along the way. Take the time now to enjoy life, to balance things out, to spend time with your loved ones...or you will find that somewhere along the way, you lost the very reason for going down this river. May we all be like this old gentleman, who took the time to not only enjoy his trip down the river, shared with his loved one, but also took the time to show another the proper way to travel on this river calls life.