The Choice.

I thought this week I would share some of the fantastic things I have been reading and hearing lately, and what has been encouraging me. Call it a school fog, but I feel like my brain actually has some capacity for things beyond school.

I've been part of a Moms and Tots group on Thursday mornings at our church since last Spring. Our group has definitely grown over this past year. We've had some trying times, but at the same time so many reasons to rejoice. As time has progressed, I really feel like we are becoming more open and sharing more of ourselves with each other. Walking with each other through life's ups and downs is what its all about.

We've prayed and wept over one breast cancer scare (not mine). We've prayed and tried to work through marital problems. We've struggled through some mental health issues. We've walked through many child rearing issues. In a few weeks, one of our tried and true Mama's will be moving away. It just amazes me how a group of 5 or 6 ladies can go through so much in such a seemingly short amount of time. This is what its all about...

Our leader, Dawn, is an inspiration to us all. She is 62 years old, and such a wonderful example of a godly, graceful woman. I find every week she has something profound to share. Sadly, I think some of it is lost on us young bucks, but week after week she still does what she can to provide us with a perspective beyond our years. One which I hope I can one day see. She often reminds us of how short these years are. Which is nearly impossible to fathom on those endless days with two little ones. The whining won't stop. The fighting and nattering won't end. It just seems endless. But I know that one day, we too will be 62, looking back on these years with a great fondness.

Often I feel like Dawn just wants to grab us, shake us, look in our eyes, and say, "But you need to understand, young one." She shared last week that she is often grieved by the fact that she didn't spend more time with the Lord in her younger days. We all use the "I'm a busy Mom" excuse, but Dawn reminded us that most of the answers we seek can be found in his word, and found in his presence. Dawn used a brilliant analogy a few weeks ago. She said her kids can call her, no matter what time of day, and no matter what she is doing, but she is always thrilled to hear from them. They may not ask her how she is doing, or what she is doing, but rather just talk about their lives, their troubles, their children, for an hour or more. Sometimes never asking her a single question. But she said no matter what, knowing that my children felt they could call me, that they wanted to share this with me, is enough for me. She said its the same with God. It thrills his heart to have us turn to him in our time of need.

Dawn shared this with us last week, and it has really touched and challenged me.

The Choice ~ Max Lucado

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 clam of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace 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 that 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 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 clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with courage and joy.

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 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/husband will not question my love. My children will never fear that their mother/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 only be 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 choose self-control... I am 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 be 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.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22"