Gò0dNews for Life
Priorities by Karen Underwood
I
’m a retired schoolteacher of 35 years and worked mainly
the world offers me. People come and go, but Jesus is
with seventh-graders. When I first started teaching,
ALWAYS there. He is always willing to offer us peace, offer
prayer at school functions was still lingering. I only
us love, offer us help…offer us whatever we need at the
moved four times. My last position was at a wonderful
moment. What do we offer Him? Do we offer Him what is
middle school led by an awesome Christian man. I thought
left over, or do we offer Him our FIRST? Do we say, I’ll try
I was in a private Christian school. He was not intimidated
to get to church next time if I don’t have a game scheduled?
and did not back down from having a prayer at every
When our children became involved with recreational sports
school function. We also had several Christian clubs and
because they weren’t in middle school to participate yet, we always told the coach we would miss games if they were on Sunday mornings—we would be in church. We wanted our children to know that your relationship with Jesus is more important than a game or anything else. It’s funny: I don’t remember ever missing a game. Somehow, ours were always scheduled during the week or on Saturdays when we could attend. My priority is to get up every morning and have a devotional. I have used many different types, from books, to doing my own, to using the Bible app on my phone. I have been doing this since my children were young, and they observed it. When my son came back and gave a talk at the First Priority group after he had gone on to college, one thing he mentioned was my
organizations: FCA, Bible Club, and First Priority, not to
priority of reading every morning. He knew when he got up
mention Bible studies being led by teachers after school
where he could find me. What an awesome moment for me
with those students interested. I decided I wanted to be a
to hear him say that. My priority as a teenager was to tell my
part of the First Priority group and be one of the leaders, so
boss at work that I could not work on Sunday mornings—I
I began attending to see what it was about and how I would
would be at church. I would come in later if they needed
fit in. I would show up late or forget the meeting entirely
me. They respected that and never scheduled me on Sunday
because I kept forgetting. I told one of the sponsors who had
mornings. My priority was to raise my children knowing
been involved and said, “I’m sorry; I just can’t remember to
that God is first so they, in turn, might teach their children
come!” I have never forgotten what he said: “I guess it’s not
the same. I praise the Lord that they both are married to
your first priority, then.” I never missed another meeting
good Christian spouses and my daughter is raising her
and got involved for the next two to three years.
children in the same manner that she was: God first.
What is your priority? To provide your children with anything the world offers them? Or to provide them with
We need to keep our priorities straight. If God is first, I think it’s easier.
In my experience, I have needed my faith more than what
20 // April 2020
About The Author
the tools they will REALLY need to make it IN this world?
Karen Underwood has been married to the love of her life for 38 years and has two children that love the Lord and are raising their children to follow Him as well. She has lived in the Chattanooga area her whole life and loves it here.
