The Best Part

Nov 2, 2021

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."

- St. Mark, Mark 12:30-31

"You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them in your heart, your mind, your stomach because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you."

- Frederick Buechner

In the beginning, God created… relationships! Yes, God created the heavens, the earth, and all the creatures who walk and swim and fly across the planet. But why? God created this amazing, life-sustaining environment for one reason - that is, so you and I could live in relationship with God the Father and with one another! You and I… in relationship with God the Father and with one another… is what matters most to Him. This was designed, from the beginning, as the best part of God's creation!

Last week, a fella dressed in "Dodger Blue" came up to me and said, "Man, the best part of my day is coming home and watching the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves in the playoffs." Now, I am not a Dodger fan, but watching the Braves thrash the Dodgers last night was not what I would call the best part of my day… although, I am smiling this morning.

However, this fella got me to thinking… What is the best part of my day?

Yesterday, Candace and I went to see our granddaughters, Roux (6) and Shiloh (4) and Zoey (1). They were staying at a condo on the beach and on Sunday. Roux said, "PawPaw, would you and Grandma come over and play with us at the condo?" I promised her that we would. So, on their last night… after a full day of work… Candace and I got in the car, and as we're driving over, the texts start pouring in from our daughter's phone…

"Dad, the girls are wondering when you'll get here…” "Dad, the girls can't wait to see you…” "Dad, hurry up..." And then the phone rings, and you can hear the excitement as the girls yell… "PawPaw, where are you? Are you almost here?" And then, as we pull up, the girls are jumping up and down on the sidewalk, smiling and waving and shouting, "WooHoo! Gramma and PawPaw are here!" I mean, you would've thought Mickey and Minnie Mouse had just pulled up! I asked Candace, "Who do you know is that excited to see us? Who is that happy to see us?" And Candace smiled and said, "Only Walter!"... our son's yellow lab who does the happy dance whenever he sees us. As we were leaving, Roux hugged me and said, "I love you, PawPaw!" And I said to her, "You were the best part of my day, Sweetie!" And I had had a great day!

Here's the question… What's the best part of your day?

...Closing that business deal?...

...Getting that promotion or that raise?...

...Moving into that new house or driving home with that new car?...

...Your team winning the Playoffs or that Fantasy Championship?...

...Finishing that project or completing that assignment...

All good… but is it the "best" part of your day? Or is it…

...Coming home, walking through the door, and seeing the face of your wife… your husband… one more time...

...Walking into a coffee shop and seeing the warm smile of a best friend who knows your heart...

...Doing the happy dance as you see your daughter… your son… wave at you from a distance...

...Hugging your 85 year old mom, or looking into the faded blue eyes of your 91 year old grandfather, with a heart full of treasured moments...

‘Cause… you know what the best part of God's day is? When you stop, sit down, and say…

"Hello Father…”

"Good Morning, Jesus…”

"Hi, Holy Spirit…”

Sometimes, the best way to evaluate the "best" part of your day is to ask yourself the Question: If "it" or "he" or "she" was gone… how much would "it" or "he" or "she" be missed?