DO I CHOOSE? HOW DO I CHOOSE?

I am getting ready to do a presentation on the LOVE LANGUAGES OF GOD by Gary Chapmen at the AWARE Center in Kuwait next week. It is therefore poignant that I was sent via e-mail today this wonderful sentiment about us all having choices in how we behave and relate--regardless as to how mad we are at someone or about some thing (including a president and vice president who lies to and leads a nation to go to war half way around the world with another nation for five years without taking the responsibility of impeachment).

I talk a lot about the need to be more loving. This need refers to me as I try to educate others on Peace and Justice Issues. We must constantly remember that we have a choice--and showing violent or harsh righteous indignation is not the way in the long run to get to another individual's hearts.

I was raised in a household where my father showed me that I have a right to righteous indignation at times and the right to show it. But, the fact is, we often don't show this indignation in the right time, right place, or with the right people. We need to make our choices more wisely--even more spiritually wisely.

This writing below comes from the works of Max Lucado, one of my favorite and thoughtful story tellers and authors. Please share and comment on it.

I CHOOSE...


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

I Choose Joy . . .
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. 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 than an 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'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at a new assignment, I will face them with joy and courage.

I Choose Kindness . . .
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God as treated me.

I Choose Goodness . . .
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will 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 family will not question my love.

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 be only 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, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks to He who made it possible. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest knowing today I repaid the debt of love I owe.

Max Lucado – When God Whispers Your Name