Well, I am 44 years old (ouch....it hurts to say that) and I still don't make wise choices sometimes. Yesterday was one of those times. I was at Trish's house yesterday and I got a peek at her new patio. It is ABSOLUTELY GEORGOUS! Seriously, down to the smallest detail, it is beautiful. I was so happy for her. She has waited quite awhile for this patio.
One difference I noticed between Trish and myself is that she studies. She researches until she knows exactly what she wants and then spends her money wisely. I, on the otherhand, rush into things to get them finished. I AM going to stop doing this. It is my New Year's Resolution in September!
Although I was thrilled for Trish, I chose to be jealous. Yep....GREEN with envy. That doesn't happen to me that much. I'm not a very jealous person. But when I am jealous, I like to admit it. You know, kind of get the cards on the table so that you can move on. When I left her driveway I immediately called my husband to whine that my patio doesn't look like Trish's (poor guy....he actually listened and didn't even hang up on me).
You may have noticed I used a certain word in describing my feelings. I used the word CHOSE. I guess that's because I realize whether you feel good or bad about something, most times you are making the choice to feel that way. This brings me to a writing by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. I try to read this when I am making poor choices in my attitude.
(By the way, bear with me....it is long, but worth it!)
It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments, the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.
I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred;no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings,created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I CHOOSE PATIENCE…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I CHOOSE KINDNESS…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. I will be kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I CHOOSE GOODNESS…
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.
I am a spiritual being…After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.
To my friends, in this season of harvest....ponder the fruits of the spirit!
4 comments:
Wow! Is this deep and beautiful or what? I would like to add one thing...it is O.K. to have feelings of anger, disappointment, sadness, fear, etc. I went through a lot of counseling to learn that. It is NOT o.k. to WALLOW or DWELL in these feelings and forget about the positive ones. We hurt ourselves when we tell ourselves that it is BAD to have natural feelings, that we are BAD people because of it. God created those feeling for us for a reason. So, have those feelings, be aware of them, know that they are o.k. (everything in moderation), and move on to bigger and better things.
If we all made perfect choices, we'd never learn anything! And 44's not old - you're beautiful! :)
Hey Girlie!
Don't you just love Max? We're on a first name basis here. You so have to do an album on that Val. You said you were last year, and I'm holding you to it!
And don't be green with envy. YOUR yard is to DIE FOR. And I'll trade your pond and waterfall for all that dirt--deal?
Love you!
I would choose a do over!
I love you.
Jen
AMEN!!!! That was beautiful!!!!!
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