Snow was softly falling from the sky in amounts that our area of the country had not yet seen this year. Eyes, filled with wonder and excitement, peered out the windows. “It’s snowing!! And it’s actually sticking to the ground!”

A few hours later, a young one came to me, nearly jumping up and down and quivering with excitement, while the words tumbled off her lips, “Guess what we get to do when we finish school?!?! Go sledding!!”

I was working in the kitchen, busily preparing food as the hustle and bustle of people gathering coats, gloves, scarves, and boots began around me early in the afternoon. I began to think how fun it was last year when I spent some time outside sledding and building snowmen with my precious siblings.

Continuing on with the task at hand, I thought to myself, “I really don’t feel like going outside in the freezing weather, and getting wet and soggy today.”

No, my idea of fun is to work on my to-do list.

But then something changed in my mind as I saw another sibling gathering the various paraphernalia needed for playing outside on such a winter day. I thought of how it would bless my younger siblings if I went outside to sled with them, even if it was only for ten minutes.

Relationships or to-do lists. Hmm….should there really be any comparison? Which will matter most a year from now?

I decided: I was going to go outside. I gathered the needed garb to brave the winter wonderland, and, with camera in hand, stepped into the snowy outdoors. Brrrrr, it was chilly, but the fun was well worth it! Sliding down the hill on a sled with other family members, taking pictures of all the adventure and fun, and eventually landing at the bottom of our hill nearly on my head…..it was such grand fun, but the best thing about it was that we did it together.

So, next time you’re tempted to work on your to-do list (and, there are times when that should be your first priority!), when your little brother or sister comes to you with longing yet twinkling eyes and says, “Will you play with me?” or, “I need a playmate,” I challenge  you to step back and evaluate: what is really most important?

Treasure the moments, because the days are fleeting by! If you have the opportunity to strengthen relationships, don’t let work get in the way. Yes, work is very important. But, if you put relationships first, you won’t be sorry.

Go out and play in the snow for a while!