Quality Time

Recently, everyone in my house has been busy, irritable, tired, and mostly very busy. I haven't spent much time with my family, who I love spending time with. So last night, after 5 hours of youth group and only 30 minutes with my family all day, I asked my mom to go on a walk with me. It was a gorgeous night and I thought for sure she would jump on the opportunity to spend time with her awesome daughter. 

But instead, she moaned a poor excuse about Sunday nights being Mad Men night, Mad Men being a TV series that my parents watch together. 

Lets just say, my selfish human nature threw a little hissy fit. I went to my room, watched my own TV show, tweeted a few times about how my mom chose a TV show over me, and pouted. I was understandably, I thought, upset that my mom didn't want to spend time with me. I mean, does she even realize I'm going to college in 3 months? She should be spending as much time with me as she can! But she would rather watch TV.

I pouted and fumed all night, and as I woke up this morning, I was still put out. No one was awake as I got ready to babysit, so I had my thoughts to myself. I thought about ways to make my mom feel guilty. I scripted my pathetic speech that would make her regret her choice. 

And out of nowhere, a thought came into my head. A convicting, unwanted thought. A thought that showed me I had absolutely no right to be upset with my mom.

Memories flashed through my mind of all the times God desired my presence, and I watched TV instead. All the times I had to choose between time in the Word and a nap, and I took a nap. All the opportunities I had to spend quiet moments with my Heavenly Father, and I scrolled through Facebook instead. 

Wow, talk about guilt.

It's simply easier to lose oneself in TV, sleep, video games, Facebook, etc. It's easier to do that than to take the time and effort to build relationships. Building relationships, with the Lord or with your daughter, takes time, respect, open ears, and an open heart. Facebook just takes eyes and a thumb.  

So Mom, I'm sorry I threw you under the bus for choosing Mad Men over a walk. And God, I'm sorry for all the times I chose TV over you. 

Lord, please set my priorities in the correct order. In my heart, you are number one. But in my actions, I don't put you first. I find joy in being comfortable and lazy, when true joy can only come from losing myself in you. Please show me how to put you first in everything I do.