Everything is a Choice

I know some of you probably saw on facebook this morning that I walked at Patton Park today. I really...I mean really....didn't want to.  I came up with every excuse in the book to not go....I needed to start work early, I was hungry and weak, I needed to do laundry, I wanted coffee first, I didn't have time, I didn't want to walk alone, that park was sketchy...you name it, I thought of it.  But eventually I decided I was already up, and dressed, and going out to take the girls to school, and I had to drive right past that park to come home, so I just as well go. So I did...kicking and screaming (on the inside) but I did.  I pushed myself more than I had in a long time, probably since my back surgery a couple of years ago, and walked 2 miles. Doesn't sound like much really, but to me it was a huge victory.  After 2 laps around the park, my left hip started hurting really badly.  I kept trying to talk myself into stopping. But I pushed through to a third lap.  It still hurt....I even had a little old guy look at me with sympathy as I was holding my hand on my hip as I walked by him. That almost through me over the edge, and sent me running straight back to my car.  But I didn't.  I decided to keep going, and I finished 4 laps,  equal to 2 miles. I made the CHOICE to push through. To push through the excuses, all the reasons not to, even the pain, to do something that I knew in the end was good for me. I have been really trying hard to make better choices for my physical body lately. Eating better, no sodas, really cutting down on sugar, only drinking water, and walking.  Do I like any of it? Of course not. But in the end, someone said to me to consider the whys.  Why do I do this? Not to lose weight necessarily, but because I want to live longer with my children and husband. I want to be more able to do things with them.  I want to be more confident in who I am.  I want to feel good in my own skin again. That's why I choose to eat better and exercise.

 Ecclesiastes 10:2 says "A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one."  I know that eating whatever I want, whenever I want is going to end badly. Yes I know I am going to die anyways....but will it be as a healthy, loving life, vibrant 95 year old, or as a diabetic, wheezing, unable to walk on her own 60 year old? I have to choose my path.

Job 22:28 says "You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you."  Here's the thing...I believe wholeheartedly that if I make the right choices, God is going to bless my effort.  He will make it work even better than I could do on my own.  And here's the biggest and bestest part....EVERYTHING in life boils down to a choice. Really think about that for a moment....

I can choose to get up on time and get to work and be a light there for Jesus, and lead by example.

I can choose to not go to Krispy Kreme in the morning, and instead eat oatmeal at home before leaving so I'm not as tempted as I drive by.

I can choose to drink a cup of coffee at home with splenda and low fat cream, instead of the million calorie $5 latte from Starbucks.

I can choose to have lunch at home and save the $8 I would spend eating out, and instead put it towards a date night with my sweet hubby.

Here's where it gets real....

I can choose every day to spend time with Jesus. Quiet time. Real time alone. To grow my relationship with my Father. So He can truly say that He knows who I am, and I know who He is.

I can choose every day to love on my children. To make a point to hug them and kiss them and tell them how awesome they are no matter how they may be acting that particular day.

I can choose every day to put my spouse's needs before mine.  To make it a priority to take care of him. To show him just what he means to me. To work on our marriage DAILY and not take it for granted. To know that he is a gift, not a right.

I can choose every day not to complain about anything to anyone. To only say positive things. The power of life and death is in the tongue. I want to choose LIFE, and be that kind of example in the world. To be different than everyone else because I have the love of Jesus in my heart.

I can choose every day to be in the business of serving God in some way. Whether its volunteering in the children's ministry, working in the parking lot, or cleaning toilets. I will choose to just do what needs to be done. Period.

So today....who do you choose to be? If you don't like who you are, where you are, or what you are doing....decide TODAY to CHANGE! Be different!  One small change is all it takes to set your life, your job, your marriage, your family, your outlook on life, on a different path forever. You can choose which direction your life will go.

And here's the best part of all....God is patiently waiting for you to just ask His opinion. He wants to show you the choice that is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT for you. The one the He created just for you. But as I have always said, He is a gentleman, He will never force a choice on you, or push you down a path. He gives us a choice, every time.


You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. (Matthew 7:13)

Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. (Proverbs 8:10)

Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. (Psalm 25:12)

What do you choose???