Your top ten list...

About 6 months into my relationship with Philly I asked the unthinkable. Where do I stand in your list of priorities? Why do we girls do that to ourselves? I couldn't resist though. There just comes a time when you want to know where you rank in a guy's life. So back in the past I go...
"If you had to make a top ten list of who and/or what you love where would I be?"
A chuckle...
"Um lets see....One Saints of course. Two would have to be Clemson. Three would have to be football in general. Oh yeah you could definitely be four or five."
I am mortified, and angry, and impatient....
"Okay okay. One would be God. Two would be family and since I love you and want to marry you one day then you are second."
I fake grin then turn around in anger. I was just wanting an answer that stated I was more important than his mom. I didn't even put God in the mix but here I was suddenly jealous of God. Why would He get top billing? It ended up being one of the most important conversations I have had with Phillip. He taught me the importance of being a true Christian and not being afraid to identify who you are. He also taught me that God should be number one above anything or anyone. I know for many people that is just an impossible task. So for the past 13 years I have tried to live with that mindset. I also have put a lot of effort into making sure that my children understand that too. While I love my children in such an immeasurable way, I try to always put God before them and my husband. That is where some people will get a little perplexed. How can you love someone more than your own child? Like I said I work at it. Not that Philly gives me any reason to not love Him but it is easier to see flaws of someone over someone you actually gave birth to. However I feel it is important and vital that my kids never doubt the love and commitment Phillip and I have for each other. I don't want our children to ever think they can split a solid foundation. The real task is teaching the kids that mommy and daddy love God more than anything and they should too. Also that God loves them more than mommy and daddy. I find it so difficult to teach a 4 year and 2 year old love coming from someone they can't see and sometimes can't even imagine. We work on it though.
It wasn't until a few months ago that my theory that I have worked diligently on for the past 13 years all crumbled. I was at a Beth Moore conference and she was talking of the same conversation she had with her husband 30 years ago. His answers were of course hunting but she didn't think he was kidding! She promised to God that He would always be at the top of her list. Listening to her I thought where do we put ourselves? Well we don't. We aren't even a factor. We are just there.We just keep moving along trying to juggle all of these balls in the air making sure everyone gets the same amount of attention and handling. Yet if God is in us and He is a part of us then why do I rank Him? Isn't He just there? Isn't he just there ALWAYS? Why did I think that I am so superior that I can even put God on a ranking? God has become my life. I don't have to work at loving Him and I shouldn't list Him to make time for Him. I mean how did I think that worked? "Let's see today I will spend 3 hours with God, 2 with husband, and 1 with kids." That is just foolish because everyone knows it just can't work like that. I have allowed The Holy Spirit to take over my soul and my heart and that means He is everything in me and to me. I can't even fathom placing Him in the same realm as my earthly family. Do I devote as much time to Him? Of course not even though I should. However no one knows me better and no one hears my voice more than He. He hears my prayers and knows my feelings. God is so much more than a ranking and so much more than a "to do list".
How does your rankings play out right now? Do you have one? Do you even think about God enough or care enough about Him to wonder if He gets enough attention from you? I pray that you quickly and sincerely make Him your life. Don't hesitate and don't delay. Make our Father your life just not a part of your life. Don't be delusioned in thinking you can wait or He can wait until Heaven to give Him all of you. God bless to all of my faithful friends and followers.
Psalm 63:2-4
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.