“Clear Choice” Blog #119
Is every minute of my day faced with a choice I must make?
What makes my heart feel settled and content?
How DO I choose carefully, wisely, and right?
Years and years ago, when I was a very little girl, I was visiting my aunt and she was
tucking me into bed one night. I remember vividly my question to her, “How do you know
when you are doing the right thing or the wrong thing? How do you decide which way to
go?” In a very quiet but emphatic voice my aunt answered me,
“When you are struggling in life with a decision you must make, always pray first. Then
be very quiet, wait for your answer. Most often the decision is right if you feel calm,
peaceful and confident with what you decided. If you are anxious, worried or upset -
you might need to go back and start over….”
I don’t even think I was ten years old, yet the words my aunt spoke to me made total
sense. I must say over the years, many times I have forgotten to abide by that critical rule.
Now looking back in hindsight, it would have always proved to be a safe bet. All people,
everyday of the week, are faced with decisions of some sort. So many decisions we make
are life changing. So many words we say to each other have final consequences. So
often decisions we have to make are not necessarily the best ones for us. However, we
always learn some kind of lesson going forward. Sometimes it’s the little things that turn
into big things. The cruel slight we make to someone close to us, the unkind words with
insufferable outcome. Words people refuse to take back. However, it is in the LACK of
confrontation that the most damage occurs. What do I mean by this? So often, we
should, and could and do not have a “face to face” meeting with a person who has hurt
us deeply. Always it is our choice to do whatever. Most people will rationalize and say, “it
won’t do any good to talk to them”, “I don’t want to deal with drama” or “they are just that
way, and I can’t begin to change them”. Yet, there is always the unwritten letter as well.
Continuing to do nothing is stagnant. This is not listening to my higher self. This is not
using prayer first to lead me in the right direction. This is not clear choice. What this is, is
“lower self choice”.
Things in my life will never change - if I don’t decide to change for the better.
Each and every day I have clear choice that come with prayer first. Then I pray for
discipline, detachment and discernment. I pray to see the other person and the entire
situation only thru the eyes of Jesus. This really does move things around. I have to
remember that clear choice will come to me when I am peace-filled. The hardest thing
in life is to face myself head-on. The easiest thing in life is to postpone dealing with a
situation that must be dealt with.
I remember when I was toying with the idea of “should we move to a warmer climate, find
a house that was more cost efficient, scale down”. I had talked to my husband and we
decided to take a summer vacation and look at three different cities in warm, healthy,
safe areas of the country. We wanted to move closer to our son as well. That was over
five years ago. Yet, in looking back, it is nothing short of miraculous how everything came
to be. We visited three cities. The last city was in a valley surrounded by mountains. The
house we looked at was perfect for our family and half the price of our house back home.
We were only there for three days, yet I remember waking up that morning after seeing
the house and knowing it was perfect for us. Yet, we had lived in our present city over fifty
years. How could we put this all in place? I put my hands together and said, “If this is
your will Lord, let it be done. Please give me a sign if we are suppose to move here”.
What happened next was so unbelievable.
We were in the car driving for not even two hours and my cell phone rang. It was a young
realtor who knew us and knew our home was NOT on the market. He shared with us that
his clients loved our area. “Could he show our home, please?” he asked. I half thought this
was a joke, but put the price even a bit higher, just to see what would happen. In less than
a few hours time, he called back with a full price offer. He asked if we could close in the
next thirty days and the buyer would be happy to pay cash for the home”. My husband
was absolutely blown away, as was I. Now, in the back of my mind I remembered my
prayer that morning. I felt peaceful, I felt excillirated, I felt there was only one choice, one
clear choice. Jesus had made it for me and I had followed the rules. Jesus is here.
I prayed first, I asked for help and I waited. That was almost five years ago and I still
feel in awe, how quickly things came together. My college friends had a big sale,
everyone helped around us and we were on the road to our new home within thirty days
time. Had anyone told me at the beginning of that summer I would be completely moved
by summers end, I would have laughed at such a crazy statement! In fact in June we
needed to repair our deck which was very costly, but decided it must be done. After all,
we were having a big baby shower, outdoor party for our son and his wife expecting their
first baby. We also knew it was time for a new pool liner because this one had seen its
day. We were just getting ready to enjoy our home for the summer. We were there,
except for our short trip. Who knew in August we would be completely moved?! Yet, …..
herein lies the rub.
When I used my recipe, asked for Jesus’ help and listened carefully to what I must do,
the pieces of my life all fell into place. I believe clear choice is all around me. It is the
chaotic, constant, craziness of the world I live in that causes so much distraction. This is
why I must always remember to adhere to a most valuable piece of advice:
“I must be in the world but not of the world.”
Today as I am faced with one more beautiful day to live in, I am more thankful for all the
blessings Jesus has bestowed on me. When I pray, I pray in earnest, knowing if my prayer
is for my highest good, it will be answered. Therefore, I am careful, consistent and clear in
my prayers daily. I pray in earnest and mean it. I listen quietly, inwardly, constantly to my
higher self, inner spiritual direction. When I do this, I know beyond a shadow of doubt that I
will find my clear choice.
“I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future”.
Jeremiah 29:11
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”
Proverbs 3:5.
“Be still and know that I am God”.
Psalm 46:10
Can I sit quietly now and pray for direction?
NOW LISTEN TO SONG FOR TODAY - CLICK PLAY BUTTON IN VIDEO BELOW