Choices

We face a myriad of choices every day, opportunities to make a difference,  good or bad. After my last rant, I didn’t want to let anger, even what I think is justified, to take control. Yet, with the turmoil going on in our country, it’s hard not to feel frustrated and judgmental with others’ choices.

One thing I can always rely on is God. He will guide me, whether I ask or not!

This morning my devotions listed  Psalm 27 1-2,13-14, reminding me faith in God is my first choice.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom should I be afraid? I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.

This scripture has appeared every time I’ve faced hard times, reassuring and encouraging me not to give up or fall into despair.

The next devotion reminded me of how I should live my life, regardless of my circumstances and the choices others make.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying we are born again into eternal life.

St. Francis of Assisi

Yes, Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, a light in the darkness leading others to You through wisdom, discernment, patience, and faith. Amen.

Seeking Good Things

‘Tis the season of peace and joy. We sing about it in our carols, wish it to everyone we meet, and send cards expressing the sentiment. We talk about having the season’s generosity all year, but we are like the parable of the seed that fell among the brambles. Hectic schedules lead us more toward irritability rather than charity and patience.

I mentioned in a prior post I planned to recite the Prayer of St. Francis every morning. Evidently, God has the same plan. The ushers handed out flyers with the prayer after church on Sunday.

The prayer, which I now have memorized, helps put things into perspective. When I want to rage at the world for all its injustices, lash out against insults with the perfect rebuttal, or put down those with a different opinion, I recite the prayer and my focus changes.

My devotions this morning suggested an additional practice. “For the sake of my brethren and of my neighbors, I spoke peace of thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee.” Psalm 122:8-9

If I seek good things for others it’s difficult to stay angry or nurse hurts. Through St. Francis’ words and the desire for good things for everyone, carrying Christmas joy and peace all year gets a whole lot easier. And, who benefits the most? Myself.

Wishing you good things, including peace and joy, this season and all year.