Sunday, July 27, 2008

I Choose...

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 days demands so it is now that I must make a choice.

So I choose...


I choose love
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy
Today I will invite God to be the God of my circumstances. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of a 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 as a 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 will invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for the moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fists 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 accept a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I 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 husband will not question my love. And my children will never fear that I 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 a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rules the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my God. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control…
I commit my day to these things.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek grace.

6 comments:

Melissa B. said...

Deanna: You definitely are a spiritual person--thanks for lifting my spirits today! I, on the other hand, have another goal in mind--BTW, it's that time of week again--please drop on in for a little Silly Summer Sunday Sweepstakes. You have 2 chances to play!

Dr. Wifey said...

thanks, I needed that!

Carrie said...

Did you write this?? It is B-E-A-utiful! I love it so much! Thank you for sharing this!

mayberry said...

So good. So SO good.

Deanna said...

Carrie - I have had this forever. I am not sure where I got it from. It has been hanging on my closet door for about five years.

Anonymous said...

Deanna, there was a time in my life that I had your faith and I desperately wish I knew how to find it again. This is probably more than you want to know but most of the time I feel like I am floundering in vastness of the ocean at night and even the stars are covered by clouds. I know that it doesn't have to be that way and your posts and the verses you post on Twitter are helping me, step by tiny little step, find my way. I will always, always love you for that.