How many of you wish that some things in your life were different? Well, I do. I have several things that I wish I could change. I have lots of problems that I wish I could fix myself, in my own way.
I chose to marry the man that I did. I love him, he’s wonderful. Is he perfect? No. Do we ever disagree? OH YES! In fact, some of our “discussions” make me very unhappy. If I wanted to, I could just say “Forget it. I’m packin’ up. See ya.” And be on my way. You could too. However, I choose to stay. I choose to love him in spite of his faults. Oh, and he does the same with me.
I sometimes get lonely, and dissatisfied with my “life in the hill country”. I try to be content with the state that I’m in, but there are times when my heart longs for home, for friends, family and the comfort of familiar surroundings. I choose to look on the bright side. I choose to find the good in living on the “backside of the desert” with rattlesnakes, grass burrs, fire ants, and cacti. Nearly everything here bites or stings. I’ve had two run-ins with scorpions. Boy, are they nasty little creatures. But, I can find the good if I look for it! I enjoy living in a small, quiet town. I enjoy walking into the library and knowing the librarians by name, and vice versa. I like having Subway right up the street! I enjoy the mild winters. My kids can play outside in short sleeves or a light jacket most of the year. There are some positives, but sometimes I have to choose to see them because the negatives are shouting at me, with bulging eyes.
I have a loving Heavenly Father who placed me in this spot for a reason. He provides for me. Everything that comes into my life is first placed through the filter of His love for me. Nothing happens to me because God is “out to get me.” But there are times when I cower in fear, awaiting His wrath to strike me down. I’m tense, and nervous, wondering what terrible thing is going to happen next? It is during these times that I have to choose to trust. It doesn’t come naturally, I have to choose to do it. I choose what to fix for dinner, I choose what to wear each day (for several people!), and on and on. Life is a series of choices, in fact, our life is a result of those choices.Therefor, we must choose wisely, according to Scripture! What if you’ve blown it already by making a wrong choice? Then choose to be happy, and walk with the Lord, and trust in Him to help you right those wrong choices.
When sorrow has come into my life, I usually haven’t been ready for it…but I made it. Why? Because I chose to trust Him. He’s always been there, and praise the Lord, He always will be.
I don’t know what will happen today or tomorrow or in ten years. I can imagine some pretty awful things. But I won’t. I choose not to! I choose to look up, I choose to trust.