It's
quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is
still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It
will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the
dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of the solitude
will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the
early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be
met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It
is now that I must make a choice.
Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so 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... the tool of the lazy thinker. 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 will 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 clenching my fists at new assignments, I will face them with joy and
courage.
I choose kindness...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. I will be kind to the rich
for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind for that is how God has
treated me.
I choose goodness...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be
overlooked before I boast. I will confess before I 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 wife will not question my love.
And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
I choose gentleness...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it
be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I
make a demand, may it be only 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. 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.
Unknown
Source
Never underestimate the
power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's
life for better or for worse.
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Tim
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