Who Matters the Most to Me?

Who matters the most to me?  The answer to this question expresses who I am, what my priorities are, and how I live my life.  My God and my family matter the most to me.  Because they matter the most to me, they mean the most to me.  My relationship with God and my relationship with all of the people I love predominate my thoughts and actions.  The love of God and family give order to my life.  God gives my life direction and purpose as His love flows through me into the lives of others. I am grateful to God for all of the material things which Richie and I have worked for and acquired but possessions are temporary. “Stuff” does not make one happy.  The “Abundant Life” is so much more than goods and wealth.  Happiness and joy are internal even when external circumstances seem to be crushing one from the outside.  Life happens.  I choose how I want to react to my circumstances.  God is present with me in the good times and the bad.  I love Him unconditionally because He loved me first.  I choose to love my family unconditionally.  We cannot stop loving each other when we disappoint or hurt each other.  My life is abundant because I believe the words of Christ who tells me in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly”.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd and His purpose is to give life, in all of its fullness, to His sheep.  We, as believers, are His sheep.  My Shepherd means the most to me.  I want those I love to know The Shepherd and to experience His promised abundant life.