How do you know what you really value in life? Sure, we are taught values from those who raise us, but they aren’t always values we stick to. We observe things and say to ourselves, “I’d like to be like that.” But how much time do we spend really being ourselves and living our lives according to what we value.

We walk by someone in need and figure someone else will help them. We travel to see beautiful and amazing places and we’re inspired, but when we get home, we fall back into patterns we swore we were going to break. We are busy and we just don’t have time for a long conversation with that friend who showed up or called at the wrong time.

I can write a list of things I value in life, but am I living it? Far from it. I get an A for some, but so many more are waiting for me to pay attention.

I value early morning skies full of stars, but sometimes I have to drag myself out of bed. I value honesty and integrity, but surely that little white lie is okay. I value my friendships, but right now this is so much more important. I value prayer and I promise, God, I’ll get to it. I value words that build up, but lately the f-bomb is coming much too easily. What should I value? I know I should put love, grace, acceptance, encouragement, and relationship above all. I’m working on it.