What Does It Profit You?

This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately, as career plans come closer to realities every day. What are my goals in life? Not just in my future work, but in my life in general. Here are a few of my goals:

1. To be close to my Creator, close enough that I can accept His guidance and wisdom. Each person has a unique plan and a unique purpose. I want to know that purpose and fulfill it. I don't spend a lot of space on this blog talking about religion, because I believe that my spiritual journey is too personal to be shared with the masses. However, this is truly the core of my life, and I hope it comes through in my actions and my writing.

2. To have a strong family. My husband and children come after God and before everything else.

3. To be a good steward of my time and resources. This includes people given to my care, like my children, and also the planet. Green living is closely tied to religion for me, because I believe loving God should include acting lovingly toward His creation.

I think intelligence and academic ability are also resources to be used wisely. I have spent much of the past seven months working toward career and academic goals that I think will use my gifts to benefit many other people. Since beginning this path, I have had an unshakeable feeling that I am where I am meant to be, and this makes it easier to get through the discouragement and challenges.

On the other hand, school has to stay in its place. It is important, but not as important as living simply. Certainly not as important as my relationship with God, or being a helper to my husband, or keeping my house in order, or caring for my children. School is demanding, but it isn't everything to me. As the verse says, "What does it profit you if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?"

I know too many mothers who neglect their homes and their families to chase dreams. I don't want to be that person. I have to consciously set up my day to begin with prayer, then family time, then chores, and then, finally, school and work. I don't believe that every woman is meant to be a housewife, but I think that even working moms, especially working moms, need to constantly think about priorities and what comes first.