Seek the Lord and His strength;

Seek His face continually.

(I Chronicles 16:11 New American Standard Bible)


 

Decisions Impact the Story of Our Lives

 

            It seemed like a random incident. Though my funds were limited, there was a need for a small piece of furniture that would act as storage to go in my office/den.  While driving through a near-by neighborhood, I noticed a chest that looked to be the right size, sitting on the curb. Could I really go furniture shopping on the side of the road? No matter the reservations, day after day, the chest seemed to beckon to me.

            One day while leaving church, I offered Don a ride since he depended on the bus. While driving toward his apartment, the chest came to mind and he agreed to look at it with me. Seeing it up close, I determined it too light and rough, not like the dark traditional furniture already in the room, and started to walk away. Don, however, saw it through very different eyes. After deferring to his encouragement, we loaded it into the car, took it home, and who knew? The light-colored rustic wood, all the things I initially didn’t like, gave the room pop and a much-needed personality lift.

Thought: The above seems to be about a piece of furniture and two people being at the right place at the right time. The reality is the story and its outcome were actually the culmination of many decisions I had made through the years:

The First was being at the right place the morning I saw Don and actually got the chest. Twenty-eight years before God called me to that church even though it was not the denomination of my youth.

The Second was again, obedience. Moving to the area where the chest was found had not been my desire. My being there was the result of stepping out in faith, with many fears, and answering God’s call to leave my present home and move.

The Third was Offering Don a ride so he wouldn’t have to depend on the bus. I now suspect this was more about the urging of the Holy Spirit rather than my being nice, but deferring to the leading of the spirit was still a decision. I believe that God knew Don would not only encourage me to get the chest, but would also tell me what needed to be done to preserve the wood.

    In thinking about the decisions that actually went into getting this piece of furniture to my house, I remembered an incident several years ago.

 

One summer morning a number of teachers from my department and I took a field trip to look at different places where students might eventually work. The first place we toured was the court house. In the court room, several young men, in trouble with the law, were standing before the judge. That afternoon we visited a large engineering firm. There to greet us and talk about the company, were a couple of young engineers. Much to my joy, one of the engineers was a former student. Standing before us and speaking with confidence about her work, this woman’s future held the promise of continued success. Such a contrast to the young men standing before the judge earlier in the day.

What were the differences, I wondered? My suspicion is that she and the men were about the same age, and possibly from similar backgrounds. Yet, their futures looked very different.

Their predicament nor her success, though, were the result of a random act, but of many decisions made through the years.

The reality is that choices, such as, but not limited to, work ethic, being friends with people who live toxic lives, obedience to God, how we use our money and time, being kind, setting goals and working toward a future are decisions that impact our daily lives as well as our future.

Question: The title of this blog post is Decisions Impact the Story of Our Lives

 And I now ask you: What will be the end of your story? Remember, a good plot is made up of twists and turns, and it’s never too late to rewrite the ending to your memoire.

Also, as you ponder the future, ask yourself if the answer to a needed decision, or part of it, is not already deep in your heart.

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And do not lean into your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your ways straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (New American Standard Bible)

 

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