My wife and I just returned from a great time away visiting friends in Germany and a necessary part of each day was our hotel wake up call. Transitioning from West Coast time to Heidelberg time was difficult and there were several nights that we simply couldn’t fall asleep til early the next morning, so the friendly wake up call was the only obstacle to us sleeping the entire next day.

The importance of this technology reminded me of a conversation I had with one of our ministry partners/donors. I’ve tried to connect with Mark for quite a while but his work schedule rarely allowed time to sneak away for lunch. One day he was flying to California and the next to Chicago..always on the road. Add to that raising three kids (two teenagers!) and he was barely keeping it all together.

In my role as Executive Director here at Tacoma YFC I see my greatest ministry to our ministry partners/donors. Which is why I consistently pray for and encourage those who help make this work happen. So, last week I dropped a quick email to Mark with the oft repeated question (to the point that it’s a bit of an inside joke between the two of us), “Hey, if you’re free let’s grab lunch sometime in the next few weeks.” I was surprised to get an email within the hour from Mark.  He went on to quickly share that it was a difficult time as one of his best friends, only 47 years of age, had just suddenly passed away and he was preparing to travel internationally to this man’s service . I offered to pray for Mark and said the invitation still stood for when life returned to (semi) normal.

Just an hour after that email conversation Mark wrote, “Hey, let’s grab lunch this week, maybe Friday?” We set it up and met today for a great meal together and catchup conversation that covered the last two years.  He shared the difficulty of hearing that his friend had passed away but that this tragedy alerted him to the importance of reconnecting with key people. Thus, the email to me to actually put lunch on the calendar.  We had a great time today and now I know more specifically how to pray for Mark.

Lunch today and the pain of Mark’s friend’s death helped to remind me of a something I read from Steven Covey to “keep first things first”.  As a father of 3 young children, husband of one wife, leader of TYFC and child of God I need to continually remind myself what is really important.  It’s all about relationships and the richness I give and get from each one–my relationship with my Savior is first, with my wife 2nd, my children a close 3rd then those good friends who are my accountability, sounding boards and confidantes.

It’s not about accomplishment or checking items off a list. Those will all pass away…but relationships will bring the depth, wisdom and love I need to keep going daily.  Just another good reminder to “keep first things, first”.