How do you make decisions or choices? Are you a coin-flipper who gets excited by the randomness of a quarter flying in the air and landing on a given side? Tossing a coin seems to be a good maneuver for deciding who plays first, or even who pays for lunch.

How many of you make lists of pros and cons and then achieve a decision based on the longer list? Or, are you among those brave hearts who consult their friends and family members for their advice? This can be perfectly wonderful, or it can be dangerously dicey. Then sometimes, we might stop and take the time to remember to pray and seek the Lord’s leadership about our decision making.

On my way to being eight, I was the little girl with fly-away brown hair and big hazel eyes. I was as comfortable at my church as I was at home. Even though my parents may have longed for a well-mannered girl who sat quietly and listened, what they got was a wild child. I couldn’t wait until after church to play chase and dodge ball with my brothers and their friends. Most of my blouses and dresses sported mended waistlines and sleeves because I played to win.

Then there was that Sunday morning our pastor preached about Jesus’ death on the cross, and I realized He had died for me. Responding to that message, I literally ran down the middle aisle at our church to tell our pastor that my sins had put Jesus on the cross and that I needed Him as my Savior. Without any thought of any decision-making strategies, or whether I had my parents’ permission or not, I made the biggest and best choice of my life! Though I was young, this is the only choice I’ve never, ever questioned. 

Of course, I didn’t stay eight and years passed by. I eventually needed every decision-making strategy or tool I knew to make a huge life decision.  Was I ready to take the plunge and marry the 1966 Bachelor of the Year? Russ got that title because every unmarried girl’s mama and daddy at our church wanted Russ as a son-in-law!

I remember being awake many nights praying, making pro and con lists, and thinking about what my life would be like with or without Russ. “With Russ” obviously won out, and I had nearly 54 years to find out that my choice turned out to be a very sweet one!

Some choices in life can come wrapped up in Kleenex and birthday paper. The year I turned 50, I had wonderful opportunities to do keynotes and national training events—all in addition to my regular time-consuming full-time job. I had several of those proverbial mid-life crisis moments filled with emotions and tears—lots of tears. I finally had to make a choice based more on what was good for Russ and our life together rather than for my career. I made my decision as I blew out all those birthday candles: “Lord, with your help I give the rest of my life to being the best wife I can be to Russ.” Those words absolutely became my guide for every other career decision I would make over the next 20+ years.

Then two years ago my decision or choice became what do I do now that Russ’ address is heaven and I’m alone? The decisions I had to make were overwhelming. How long do I keep a house I can’t afford? Where do I move? How do I accept my new life on my own? Real choices had to be made about how to heal, start over, and create a new life. Every day God showed up and helped me choose trusting Him over my fears, and living in gratitude rather than seeing only the grief.  

Today, my choice is to take some of the courage God gave me and open my heart to this new opportunity of the Taking Grace Home blog. I hope to give you, my readers, my best and be as transparent with you as possible. Together, I believe we can help each other on the road home as we choose to believe God’s promises and live for Him. Thank you for your choice to join me here on Taking Grace Home. May God continue to bless you.

Great verse choice for decision making and shaky hands:  Philippians 4: 6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

YOUR TURN:

What do you do to stop your shaky hands and make good choices? Do you have a happy decision-making experience you’d like to share with us? Please include a brief version of what happened with your comments below. I appreciate your sharing!