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Please bear with me. The approach of Valentine’s Day takes me back to a precious memory of my youngest child. Victoria is now 25, but it takes only a second for the clock to rewind to Feb. 14, 2002.

Victoria’s 7-year-old eyes scanned the loot scattered on the kitchen table. Pushing aside treat-filled bags, white envelopes bearing her name, and the wrappings of the candy that didn’t survive the ride home, she grabbed a large, red, heart-shaped box.

“Who’s this for?” she asked.

“Your dad,” I said.

“May I open it?”

“Well… okay. Just don’t lose the little map inside. It tells you where each type of candy is.”

My husband doesn’t like surprises in candy or life. He wants to know what’s in store before he sinks his teeth into something.

“I won’t lose it!”

Moments later she found me in the study.

“I didn’t lose the map, but I dropped the box, all the candy fell out, and I don’t know it belongs.”

In her defense, I never told her not to drop the box, only to guard the map. We went into the kitchen and attempted to return each piece to its proper place. It was a difficult task, except for the cashews. It’s easy to spot a nut, even when it is covered in chocolate and trying to masquerade as candy.

Sometimes we drop the box. The pieces of our lives are then in disarray and suddenly we don’t know where anything belongs. Spouses, children, jobs, ministries, hobbies, unspoken dreams, and friends vie for our attention.

Keeping my priorities in order is an ongoing task. I am grateful to God Who holds His map for me and helps me keep the portions of my life in their proper place.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.