One day, Dad and a younger brother of mine decided to take a walk.  Dad was getting older, and had gone through by-pass surgery.  Exercise became a daily routine. 

Dad had never had to concern himself with exercise, as hard work and maintenance of the home provided adequate exercise.  Back then, rest was the thing that was more neglected.

Today, it seems people get plenty of rest, and it is exercise that everyone has to be conscious of not neglecting.

Dad was always mindful to take his walk, and I decided to join him and younger brother on this day.

A conversation ensued, which brought no comment from me ...until I heard, "A person should never put church before family."

Knowing that many people have only church as their sole focus on God, I added, "I totally agree ...yet, let's not equate church to God.  I do believe God should come before family."

The grumbling began, in rejection of my statement, so I added, "In putting God first, it's not like we are putting family in a lesser position of importance ...we are actually elevating the status of family."

At that point, I am reminded of what Margret Thatcher said, "I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left."

Well, I have to admit ...I didn't exactly share that sentiment, of immense cheer.  What I was having was not a political argument.  We were discussing a life issue ...with eternal life, in the back of my mind, not critical to the semantics involved in the conversation, but concern over the possible implications attached to what was being said.