Inspirational Sunday - Choices

Yesterday I pretty much had the entire day and evening to myself. My husband and children went to a college football game in central IL. It was just me, the 3 cats, and quiet so I spent the day pretty much organizing my computer but especially blog ideas into one area. Today as I was pondering what to write for today's post, I went to that folder and came across this beautiful and powerful passage ever written by a human. It is from a book I read called When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado. So why did that passage strike me and say you need to use this in today's message? I think because of some choices I will be making as an office manager that are going to be very difficult for me.

The choices we make hourly, daily, or whenever, define who we become. In the end, they “identify” us to everyone around us. We make the choice, and then the choice makes us.

No choice is so small that it shouldn't warrant careful thought. Very careful thought. One of the reasons for this is that we are – and always have been – creatures of habit. A lot of what we do on a daily basis is done on auto pilot. Have you ever driven to work and look up and realize suddenly you are there? These are routine fixed habits.

But are they good habits? Shouldn't we hold them accountable? Shouldn't we demand that our habits be the type of habits that make us better people? How are your choices impacting your life and your relationship with others and your relationship with God? Be aware of your own choices. They’re dictating your life – choose them wisely.

Choices
by Max Lucado

I choose Love.... No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. 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 inconvenience of the world. Instead of cursing the one that takes my place, I will invite him to do so. Rather than complain the wait is too long, I will thank God for the moment to pray. Instead of clinching 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. 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 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 spouse will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father/mother will not come home.

I choose Gentleness.... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, my it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be on myself.

I choose Self-Control.... 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.