First Things First

Fall is fast approaching. Next week, summer will officially end, and Autumn will begin. In our house, the final vestige of summer will be packed away this weekend as daddy finishes taking down the pool and packing it away.

Last year, we bought one of those pop up pools for our daughter's birthday. Everyone was excited as the days were hot and the pool was big enough for the entire family to get in and cool off as well as have a good time. As I hauled the heavy box to the backyard the squeals of anticipatory delight emanated from our youngest daughters lips. "When can we set it up daddy, can we swim today?"

Our backyard is a study in landscaping nightmares. Through a series of three terraces, it drops in elevation 15' from the back of the house to the fence. One of the instructions on the pool was that it MUST be level. Of course being a real manly sort of guy, I hadn't bothered to even look for the instructions much less read them. However my wife had not only read them, she was trying in vain to verbalize them to her hardheaded husband who simply answered, "I know what I'm doing, how hard could this be?"

I found what looked like a relatively flat spot, unfolded the pool, and began to fill it. Sarah, our daughter, was already in her swimsuit ready to jump in. I just knew that the only thing that stood in the way of a great family afternoon was 5900 gallons of water. Shows how much I know. There was a very good reason to pay attention to the instructions here. You see, if the pool was not level, the water would settle to one end of the pool, and collapse the walls. After proving that Einstein was right about his definition of insanity, actually I tried to disprove him several times that afternoon, I realized that perhaps the folks who wrote the instructions might have a point. After explaining to a disappointed twelve year old that I would have to do some digging before we set up the pool, I chose a spot in the yard, and called a friend with a backhoe.

Isn't it amazing how well things tend to work when you do the first things first? The next afternoon the pool was filled with 59 degree water (too cold for this old man, but somehow just right for his daughters) and everyone was happy.

This morning I was reading in Haggai. It seems that the children of Israel had the same problem as I. They were so anxious to get their lives back in order after the Babylonian exile, that they neglected to rebuild the Temple of God. Their houses were in order, but God's house lay in ruins. The blessings of God were withheld, there was a draught in the land, food was in short supply, but they pressed forward with their houses and businesses. It wasn't until God spoke through the prophet that they returned to the most important task at hand, rebuilding the Temple of God.

Whatever situation you find yourself in today, whether you are a businessman, a housewife, a student or perhaps your looking for that perfect person to share your life with. Put God first, allow Him to inhabit the Temple,(YOU), allow him to direct your life, and have patience. God's plan in your life is a perfect plan. He writes the perfect business plan, and more importantly the perfect life plan. Keep the first things first and He will guide you to His perfect will and blessings.