If you were to ask me years ago if I had idols in my life I would have laughed and said, “No!”  In hindsight, I always said that my family was first in my life.  I lived my life full of faith, but my family took that top spot. 

I didn’t realize the importance of always putting my faith first until I worked with Mary Kay Cosmetics.  My faith was strong and present, but I never verbalized it as being first in my life.  The strength of my faith was definitely “in the closet.”

It was the top leadership at MK Cosmetics that clearly defined and lived faith first, family second, and career third.  As I started to acknowledge that my faith was my first priority, everything else in life seemed to fall into place.

That doesn’t mean that my life is without challenges.  It means that I am at peace with my life because I have faith that Jesus will see me through the challenges.

Recently a friend of mine talked about how at one point in her life her children were her idols.  To make a very long story short, she was separated from her children for numerous years. 

The strength of her faith allowed her to see how she was putting her children above her faith.  When she reprioritized her life putting her faith first she was at peace and opportunities opened for her to rebuild relationships with her children. 

Her honesty made me stop and think about the idols in my life.  My family was my priority.  Prior to openly putting my faith first I was all about my family.  There was a time when most of my immediate family was not happy with me. 

I was about to marry someone 30 years older than I and that did not sit well with many.  What surprised me the most was that I was at peace with my decision despite most of my family not speaking to me. 

I greatly admire and love my family.  I knew that my choice of a husband was controversial.  I understood why they were upset.  My feelings of peace told me I was walking my intended path. 

I never thought about it in terms of an idol, but I believe my family was an idol and Jesus was telling me that if I follow my faith I will be at peace.  Six months later my family welcomed my late husband with open arms.  God is good.         

What is it that you put first in your life?

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