Choices

Oh boy is the Lord pounding this one into my head!

I remember as a kid being constantly reminded that my attitude was a choice. If I came home from school complaining about a classmate or homework my mom would tell me, "Jessi, having a bad attitude is a choice. You're only hurting yourself by getting upset about this."

Man, is she wise! I had no idea that this topic would apply so directly to my life as an adult.

My time in Austin has been filled with lessons about choices. The Lord reminds me daily to choose a good attitude.

I'm not sure that I prepared well for this post college season. Having a start and stop date to seasons of life had become quite comfortable up until this point.

Incidentally, not knowing what, where or when "next" is causes a little bit of emotional turmoil in me (ok...a LOT of emotional turmoil).

I think it matters little where I am now or what I'm doing. I would probably be struggling with this issue regardless.

So it's a choice! I swear the Lord is POUNDING this principle into my life and my makeup.

Last night I had dinner with one of the cottages here at the Children's Home (which, by the way, has become one of my favorite activities). As we visited over dinner, Pop began their daily devotional time (another SWEET SWEET thing for me to be a part of - I'm so thankful for how God is at work in this place).

It was no surprise to me that the theme of the family devotion book was "CHOICES."

Listening to these orphan boys, ranging from six to 19, talk about choosing to take responsibility and look forward not back, to be respectful, thankful for their circumstances and the sacrifices that the Lord made for them was so humbling.

Philippians 4:8 has become a theme verse for me these days.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Think about such things.

Even what I think about is a choice. This week I've made a conscious effort to choose to be thankful for today - where I am, what I'm doing, who's in my life, etc. I've not allowed myself to think about yesterday, tomorrow, next month or next year.

It's amazing how delightful life can be when I Christ as my focal point, not my situation.

The Lord must look at my life and smirk at how often I try to take hold of that which is not mine (that I gave to him), straining/worrying/working to figure it out and satisfy ME.

Today, I'm choosing to think on things that are praiseworthy.

I'm choosing to delight in the Lord (Ps. 37).

And I'm choosing to be thankful for my circumstances (Col. 4:2).

js