“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:19)

It was one of those special moments.  Even though she was now older, she had seen several of the neighborhood children grow up.  Some of these kids had been in her home over the years, visiting with their parents.  And now it was time for graduations, this year one from college and another from a professional trade school, and then they would begin to make their own way in the world.  As she sat preparing to write brief notes in their graduation cards, she wondered what could be said that would be different than the typical “what a fine person” they had turned out to be.

It had not been a good year for many reasons.  As a matter of fact, it had probably been one of the worst years of her life.  But she had gotten through it and felt like she was beginning to climb out of the valley.  What had helped her turn the corner these past months were her relatives, a few dear friends, and the closeness she had with her Lord.  As she looked around her home, very grateful for the comforts it provided, she realized that the material possessions she had accumulated were not the stuff of life which truly satisfies the soul.

So that is what she wrote to these young folk who were about ready to embark on their own journeys.  “As you begin your life’s work, you will most likely have many opportunities.  Some will add value to your life; others, not so much.  Always remember that it’s not about where you work or live, the kind of car you drive or the clothes you wear, or how much money you have in the bank. While all of these may be helpful to you at certain points in time, you will learn to realize that the true wealth of life is found in three words – Faith, Family, and Friends. One day you will come to understand that the rest is just fluff.”

Accordingly, this was the wisdom she passed on that year at graduation time.  Hopefully the cards were saved, or her words somehow etched in the windmills of those young minds so that one day they might be reread or remembered.  Maybe it would make one of life’s struggles just a little easier for a young friend at a future time when the road would become a little bumpy, as it undoubtedly would at some point.

REFLECTION:  Do you agree that collectively Faith (I Cor. 2:5), Family (I Tim 5:8), and Friends (Ecc.4:9-10) can provide the necessary foundation for your being?  When you become distracted and are neglecting your attention to one or more of these, is your life impacted? How does the assurance of Faith, Family and Friends provide you with the confidence that your Journey will be richer, fuller, and more wonderful with each passing day?

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