keeping right priorities

Dorothy Bentley


My baby girl is heading off to college soon. Okay... she's no longer a baby, but a woman.

Over the years, there were many hours that I spent tucking her in and praying with her through her girlhood, talking into the wee hours during her teen years, and dinners and discussions with her and her friends around the table as a young adult. There were many times when I wanted to work on a writing project, but I put things off to spend time with her.

Perhaps as a result, my writing career isn't as far along as it could be. Do I have any regrets? Absolutely not. It is with hesitancy that I say I am pleased with how she's turned out. I know it hasn't been because of me, but because of God working in her heart. And I know she isn't finished yet-- none of us are until we meet the Lord. Yet a mentoring relationship is so important; a parent pouring out one's life into the heart of a child.

I never want to sacrifice relationship with my children, or husband for personal gain. Living a life with priorities in the right place, I trust God will grant me wonderful productivity and success with the work He desires.


May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14, NIV)