Putting/Keeping God First

         This past Monday the parish I serve had it's monthly Parish Council meeting. Obviously, there was much rejoicing, because there's nothing more fun that can happen on a Monday night!

         All kidding aside: our Parish Council is a great group of people, and I thank God for them. They are committed to being the church, and celebrating their ministry as we muddle through the realities of the business of the church. Summary: we put God first.

         This past Monday coincided with another occasion: a playoff hockey game, where my team was participating.

         So the mental and moral debate happened: call in sick? Reschedule the meeting? Bring a computer in to stream the game?

         The answer: none of the above. We held the meeting at the original date and time, with me in attendance, without dividing my focus. Not even score-checking on my phone: I was dedicated to being fully present at the meeting.

         I will admit: I was attired to provide a subtle cue that the puck dropped 30 minutes after our meeting started: just to non-verbally remind folks of the benefits of brevity. (And hey, a Winnipeg Jets jersey goes really well over clericals. Just saying.) We all had a giggle about it.

         The meeting was a good one. We had much to discuss, much to consider, much to remind ourselves about: from committee updates to worship schedules to finances to planning our annual feast day celebrations. We laughed, we shared, we brainstormed, we prayed.

         We *did* have a slightly shorter meeting than normal, but we didn't skip over anything in the meeting. Because we, as a parish council, put church first. And that happens because we, as individuals and as a community, put God first.

         There will always be something else that is happening: a game, a show, a guest, a [whatever event]. There will always be someone who is making a choice. But when we keep our focus on who and whose we are, we make the right choice.

         So we put God first. We made the meeting our priority that night. We live our faith in all we do. We exercise our ministry. We find ways to love the world the way that God first loved us. 

         Sometimes that means missing the first period, or the ninth inning, or the cliff-hanger, or the [whatever event]. But when it means keeping our focus on the God who never lets us out of their sight - it's a decision well made.