More on the Brownie outlook.
Let me first explain that family and relationships are VERY important to me; and in no way do I mean to trivialize them by comparing them to a dessert. However, if one wishes to follow Christ's own words, there is a perspective on life, relationships, trials, even devastation that one needs to cultivate. "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his won soul?" This question includes one's family and friends. Think not? Again, in Christ's own words, "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." Very strong words, and acceptable only if one is a true believer that we were created for eternity. God's intention was not for us to achieve paradise here; rather that we glimpse His Kingdom here and experience it for eternity. The little bits of paradise that are made up of family, friends, relationships, physical pleasures are just the "trailers" for the real event. To live a life full of faith that God is faithful, and has Himself made a way for us to be reunited with Him for eternity is sufficient reward to the true believer. Of course, the joy that those "trailers" bring, the hopes they reinforce, WHEN EXPERIENCED IN GOD'S PLANNED WAY, are indescribable to the unbeliever. What brings temporary pleasure to the unbeliever brings real joy to His children. What seems overwhelmingly good to the unbeliever is just a hint of the joy to come to God's sons and daughters. What seems to be an unbearable pain or grief to the unbeliever is like my broken leg was to me - a temporary painful, inconvenient, disgruntling mishap that time and resources has set fully straight. There is nothing in this life that I could not give up for Him, if He asked it of me. I pray that I can confidently say with Paul, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
As a loving father and grandfather, I feel overwhelming joy as I hold my grandchildren in my lap and they peacefully fall asleep upon me, or insist on calling me to say goodnight before reluctantly going off to bed. I felt incredible peace embracing my spouse after an evening scripture and prayer - falling off to sleep. But those joys are just hints of the kind of joy for which we were created. Are they important? Of course they are! Will they last for eternity? No! They will be replaced with a joy that is presently only barely imaginable. Only a true believer can experience the knds of joy that God created in the way that internally is augmented by the reassurance that one has experienced that pleasure in a way that is pleasing to God, hearing Him say "Well Done!"