I remember one time growing up, my greatest desire was to own a good shoe. I spent more time thinking about the shoe and how it would make me feel and how I would be viewed putting on that shoe. However after purchasing the “shoes of my dreams”, I discovered while walking that there had suddenly become an imbalance in my height and movement. To my utter amazement, the soles of one leg had stayed behind while I kept moving. The hurt was beyond the embarrassment but the quick calculation of what was expended in procuring said shoes.
Oftentimes in life, we try to measure values in terms of cost, however this may be far from realistic. The cost of anything may be far less than the value. The goal is to evaluate the inherent satisfaction and benefit of whatever is acquired or invested over a period of time.
This can be said of governance, our relationships, marriage, career and especially parenting.
The value of time spent with a child who sees quality time as his or her love language may not be quantified by gifts given to that child.
The impact of discipline and friendship and laughter shared with loved ones may never be equal to lavish presents and travels.
The importance of a call, a message, a kindness, a sacrifice may not be immediate but the intrinsic value would probably deliver the recipient from the clutches of self destruction.
Inasmuch as we would not discourage anyone from investing in things that have some cost, the focus should always be on understanding the long term value of every investment whether physical, emotional or material.
