CHOICES!

CHOICES - CHOICES - CHOICES!

Have you ever felt like you were standing in front of a chalkboard, needing your life answers all spelled out only to see it confused you even more? I've said to God more than once that I would be most grateful if he would just give me a sign, provide a miracle, make the writing on the wall very clear to see. He just doesn't get it. I tire of the chaos. I don't like the drama. Change isn't fun.

I don't know why God won't take my advice. I mean, more than once I have made it clear that I think I have some pretty good ideas and I think He should listen to me. It never seems to happen. (And all of humankind arises in thanks that I am not in charge)

Too often it seems:

• we have road signs that point in all directions but no sign that makes it clear which direction to go. 
• we have NO road signs to warn us and prepare us for the bump in the road that is ahead
• we completely miss the signs
• we realize - later on - that our stubbornness kept us from being willing to see the signs

Please realize I'm speaking about me. I can only assume there might be someone out there who fills the same but then again, one should never assume!

I shared a portion of one of my favorite Scripture about hope the other day. Today I would like to share the rest of it:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only THAT, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given for us. --Romans 5:1-5

I'm OK with all that. I know that part of living is working through the "unexpecteds" of life. I just can't get through to God that I would be just fine without the "unexpecteds". Show me the plot -- I love knowing the ending. Give me a detailed written note and I will follow it to the tee. OK, no I won't.

I go back and read the silly content of this post and realize - painfully so - how often I am guilty of intentionally keeping my eyes closed as I don't want to choose the signs offered me. I want to go my own route. "I did it my way!" - as Frank Sinatra would sing so do I sing to my stubborn, pig-headed self.

Why do I have to be that way? It's like I intentionally make things more difficult because I'm convinced I know the better way.
Jesus is nuts if he thinks I'm going to forgive THAT person for what she did!
He is crazy if he thinks I'm going to forget what was done to me.
He's nuts if he thinks I'm not going to pout a little because I didn't get my way.

Good grief! Join me at the table and I'll share some of my whine to go along with the cheese. (Nope, that's not a typo ...)

Oftentimes HOPE wins out -- those are the few times it's a good day and I'm using the common sense of realizing God knows far better, loves me far more and wants only the best for me anyway. On those days I cling to the HOPE of what is yet to be and REJOICE in what is -- even if it feels rotten at the time.

I just think it's important to show the good, the bad and the ugly along with the great, the glorious and the beautiful.

I really, really hope today is a gloriously beautiful one.
I really, really hope when I encounter others today they see my HOPE is in the Lord, my peace is in Christ and my joy is filled by the Holy Spirit.

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6

To God be the glory!