No Regrets

What's important to you?  Really important to you?  Family?  Friends?  Job recognition?  Making the big bucks?  I thought I knew what was important to me...that is until a few years ago when my niece Amanda said something that caused me to think differently.  

I thought family was of huge importance, yet while attending family get-togethers, my mind was focused on getting back to work to finish a report, making phone calls, etc.  Amanda stayed with me during the summers.  In her mind, she was hoping it would be fun to hang out with her single aunt.  After observing me working long stressful days, with tears in her eyes, Amanda confessed, "If this is what it's like to be an adult--to work hard, be stressed and be robbed of joy, then I don't want to become one."  Ouch, a blow to the heart and a reality wake up call.

After Amanda returned to her family for the start of a new school year, I took some time off from work.  I reevaluated what was really important to me and made the decision to quit my $70,000 school administrator position and take a part-time position as administrative assistant at my church.  My brothers and closest friends were shocked at my decision.  A couple of years ago I also started teaching part-time at a jail.

It has been one of the best choices I have ever made.  I am no longer controlled by work, but rather, I'm in charge of my work.  Family and friends are truly a top priority in my life again.  I also take time to relax by my pond, play the piano and to focus on other hobbies and joys that have been neglected.

Point of Grace's song, "How You Live" talks about not having regrets.  It reminds us to focus on the things in life that are really important to us, and not letting years go by and missing out.  How about you?  When's the last time you took an honest look at your priorities?  

"'Cause you won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live."