Tag Archives: responsibility

Own Your Choices

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Own_Your_ChoicesI ate a cookie this morning.

I usually eat healthy foods during the week…fruit, nuts, salads, veggies. If I eat sweets, it’s because one of my colleagues has brought in something she’s baked and I’m not going to hurt her feelings by saying “no” to banana cake. But today, I caved. I ate a cookie. A plain old, comes in a box, cookie. I have no excuses. No one forced me. No one threatened me. I made the choice. I. Chose. The. Cookie.

We all have choices every day. We choose what to wear, what to eat, what route to work, what to spend money on, where to go to church (or not), what to do with our time. Our choices are just that. Ours.

If I want to achieve a certain goal, I’m going to need to make certain choices. Sometimes those choices involve sacrificing what I WANT RIGHT NOW, for what I want down the line. If I want to be a healthy 60-year-old, I’m going to have to choose to live a healthy lifestyle. (P.S. – It probably won’t happen tomorrow. I will be eating sweets on my big day). But if I don’t make those healthy choices, I won’t be blaming someone else. It’s on me. And I’m good with that. I’m tired of seeing social media postings blaming everyone else for the circumstances in our lives.

“I can’t believe that cop gave me a speeding ticket.”
“My teacher gave me a D – just for one missing assignment.”
“I have no time to exercise (read, pray, call my dad, visit with my grandma, shovel my neighbor’s walk…)”
“It’s my mom’s fault.” (A particularly touchy one – Thankfully for them, this has not been posted by my children)

Yes, there are a lot of people in our world who have very few options.  Circumstances, and other people’s sinful choices, have kept them in bondage. But for MOST of us, we must take ownership of our choices. If we want a different result, we need to make a different choice. We want a different life. We want a smoother road, We want a better job. Or financial freedom. Or healthy relationships. It begins with one step, one choice. And only you can make it.

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One of Those Days

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There are days…

When I’d just like to stay under the covers.

When I’d like to eat blueberry waffles with pure maple syrup and whipped cream until I burst.

When I’d like to leave all the dishes in the sink, the dirty laundry in the basket, the refrigerator empty, and watch TV all day.

When I’d like to crank the music and sing off-key at the top of my lungs.

When I’d like to tell people on Facebook exactly what I’m thinking, no matter who it may offend.

When I’d like to go for a walk at lunch, and just keep walking.

When I’d like to speed down the interstate or better yet, cruise under the speed limit in the left lane.

When I’d like to skip out on all my responsibilities and do something stupid.

But instead…

I’ll be responsible (most of the time)…

Act my age (sometimes)…

Keep my mouth shut (when appropriate)…

Choose right over wrong,

kindness and compassion over meanness,

the Spirit of God over the lust of the flesh.

Because I’ve made the big decision to live according the Spirit, not according to my flesh. It’s okay to recognize those days of indulgence for what they are. A temptation to live for myself. So, even though today may be one of “those days,” I’m asking God for the strength to choose the better way.

And for those of you who like to have fun, and laugh, and sing, and dance…you have definitely chosen the better way. I’m with you.

I will sing out loud and probably have waffles til I explode.

galatians 5 16

It’s Not My Fault!

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Day 8 – The Blame Game

“But it’s not my fault! She made me do it!”
“This is your fault, not mine!”
“He did it, not me!”

If you’ve ever had a child, this game comes pre-programmed. If you’ve had more than one child, the game comes in high-definition. First as a daughter and later as a mom, I’ve been a giver and a receiver of blame. Some of it was legitimate…most was not.

Basically it comes down to taking responsibility for ourselves – our actions and our words. Some of us “old timers” may want to blame our society for this epidemic of irresponsibility but all I have to do is look at Genesis 3:12 to see the first ones who played the Blame Game.

God is looking for Adam and Eve in the garden (after their little encounter with the serpent). They were hiding from God (kinda funny, really. You can’t hide from the One who sees everything). Adam said they were hiding because they were naked and God asked him, “Who told you that you were naked?” Adam steps up to the plate and takes personal responsibility for all of it. Not.

“The man said, ‘The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.’”
And lovely wife Eve continues with “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

The Blame Game continues on with the stories of Cain and Abel; Abram, Sarai and Hagar; Jacob & Esau; Joseph and his brothers and on and on and on. It’s no different today. We get frustrated or angry about some affront and begin blaming someone or something. Today it could be the snow, the cold, the snowplows, or the government. Social media is full of vitriol against megachurch pastors, Oprah, the president, Lady Gaga, or whomever is your personal whipping boy. I’ve heard adult men blame their mothers for the choices they are making today. Come on guys. She may not have been the best mother in the world but let it go and be an adult. Take responsibility for your own choices in life. If you’ve got serious emotional issues, ask for help…but blaming others is not the way to mental health and healing. Playing the Blame Game only gives bitterness and resentment.

No more passing the buck. There was only One perfect person. We all make mistakes. We all make bad choices. Time to admit it and move on.

Let’s consider what James said in his New Testament book – “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” So, today I’m giving up the Blame Game and choosing to ask for wisdom. Sounds like a great trade off to me.

Blame Game