TODAY THE WORD is CHOICES. As one of the popular fast food chains has a slogan, “Have it your way” and this thought made me think, “Is this how it works?” We make choices everyday in our dress, our living environment, our work, our friends and very importantly, our family and faith. Young people start the choice process with friends, college or technical school, friends, and sports or hobbies; some choices may be great and some may not have been healthy choices. It is no different with adults. The phrase “Hindsight is 20/20” was not originated for no reason and is probably one of the most honest phrases in our vocabulary. We see; we want; and we choose! What effect does this mentality have on our lives? If you read Eleanor Roosevelt’s message above, “I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday”, you see what colossal effect our actions and choices have.
A child born in poverty has an environment prone to a possible adversity. This child is exposed to a lot of negative choices. This is not a manifesto if the child chooses to rise above their natural surroundings. I have seen and you have witnessed the person who rises and chooses to be a success. Books are written on these select people and how against all odds, they found a way to the top. Choices, again it is choices that make the difference. I heard our son, Cory, give a message to his son, our grandson while he was staying with us over the weekend, “Make good choices”. I thought this was a wise thing for a father to say to a soon to be 4 year old. Maybe this is one of those things that we hear and remember as I don’t think we get too old to hear, “Make good choices”. If we stop for a few seconds, think about what we are about to chose to do; our actions might be wiser. Even if we are feeling like we don’t have a choice in life; we do! Sometimes, our choices affect other people and this is even more critical for us to make wise choices for the benefit of others as well as our immediate needs. Today, and everyday each and every choice we make is a step on the stairs of life….either that choice allows us to step higher on the stairway or it takes us backwards. One bad choice may not keep us from our upward climb but it does slow our climb! As Cory said, “Make good choices.”
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Joshua 24:15 – And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.
