This week, I went canoeing down the Chattahoochee.  I took two of my daughters and my BlackBerry -only the daughters made back to the shore.

I tend to dramatize things I see them as part of a bigger story or drama.  I tend to look at what happens in life, however silly, as a lesson or part of something bigger.

Now the drama: My daughters almost sank when the boat tipped over.  (Before you wonder what I was doing on a class 2 rapids, they didn't tell me what we were in for.)

When we went over the Class 2 rapids, our boat tipped over, Kristen (8 years old) hit the 50ยบ water and yelled "I can't breath," and Jaclyn (4 years old) looked at her dad and started sinking---her eyes met mine and we both knew she was in trouble.

I don't know how particularly heroic I was, but it is remarkable how clear things become in moments like this.  My only focus was my daughters-I grabbed Kristen and threw her onto the overturned boat.  Jaclyn was in an undertow, so I pulled her out to the shore.  The rented boat was swamped, paddles missing, and my pockets were empty.

My four year-old, Jaclyn, pointed at me and said, "This is why I don't like canoeing!"  I agreed.  After they were safe, we started to look for what was missing and found the oars, boat, and everything else, except my BlackBerry and two juice boxes.

Kristen was very concerned that I lost my BlackBerry after all, it cost $400 or as she pointed out, the value of four American Girl dolls.  She asked if I was sad or if mom would be upset.  I told her that mom and dad were glad that the most important things were safe my two daughters and that I never even thought about the BlackBerry. 

I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was pensive all day.  It is hard to see your kids in trouble.  It forces hard choices.  But, soon, my thoughts turned to priorities.

It was easy to choose in the moment of danger, but not so easy in the mundane of everyday.  I, too often, scroll through my BlackBerry while my daughters are telling me about their conflicts with the neighbors, things they learned at school, or questions about God.

It's easy to choose when the panic is on; it's hard to choose with the pressure of life.  God reminded me that day what was important.  My girls are sleeping safely in their beds.  I'm relieved.  May my BlackBerry and my enslavement to it and work rest in peace at the bottom of the Chattahoochee River.