What's Important?

What's important? I've been very philosophical the past couple of months thinking about what is really important in life. I mean, I know the big stuff, like my relationship with Jesus Christ is THE most important thing. But what else is important?
Missing my youngest child all summer has made me realize that how we spend every moment of every day with the ones we love is important. A couple of weeks ago I again thought about one of the saddest days I can remember. The third anniversary of the day we lost two very special people, Lisa and Ben Kelly. The were taken from us so suddenly, without warning. How would we cope? In the days and weeks following that tragedy I watched a husband and father show strength that I know, can only come from God. While we mourned, heaven was rejoicing! Two more are home now. And for that, we can be thankful. We know where Lisa and Ben are now. Our loss is heaven's gain. We can gain comfort in knowing they are with Jesus. That was a rough year. Before the sudden loss of Ben and Lisa, I lost my Dad to cancer. He had been fighting it for three long years. I remember how sick he was at my daughter Ashley's wedding. But he continued to fight. But finally he could fight no more. He had been in he hospital several days, but the doctors thought he would be going home soon. We had planned to go see him, once he got back home. But then came the dreaded call. The doctor said we needed to come now. It didn't look good. I left work early, met Jeff at the house, picked Bethany up from school and headed toward Tennessee. We drove long into the night. But we didn't get there in time. With a couple of hours to go, we received the call that Daddy had slipped away into eternity. I never got to say good-bye. How could we not have made it in time! So many regrets. But again, our loss was Heaven's gain. I take comfort in knowing he is with Jesus today. So thankful that as a man in his 60's, he had given his life to Christ, several years before. I miss him every day, but know I will see him again!
So, back to the question posed earlier: What's important? Living without regret. That is important. Making a difference -- that's important. Forgiving -- as difficult as that may be at times, is important. Loving others, and telling those we love that we love them -- that's important! Don't put that off. You might not get another chance. Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who are lost and dying and headed to an eternity separated from God -- yeah, that's important! Really important. It seems that recently God has been re-emphasizing that point to me. Share the love of Jesus with others! Every sermon, every quiet time devotion -- they all come back to that message. People need to know about Jesus. I need to tell them!
What's important? This scripture keeps coming to mind: “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desire of your heart will be." Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT). What I do now, here on this earth for the Kingdom of God is what is important. When I get to heaven, I want to hear my heavenly Father say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant."