by Phyllis Ducey
pfdoriginalartworks
Recently my husband and I traveled back to visit my family and helped my mother-in-law clean out closets in preparation for scaling down their household. While there, at the spur of the moment my 18 year old niece, Rachel decided to drive back with us and her grandma said she would pay to fly her back. Cool beans! We always have a great time.
She got here and decided to fly back on Sunday. I was bummed I hoped she would stay another day. We were booking her flight (she was flying back standby) and called my mother-in-law who informed us that major snow/rain storms were heading our way and would impair travel in Chicagoland area.
Rachel was in a quandary as to whether or not to leave. Being 18 she has not a lot of life experience in traveling on her own. To make a good decision she needed someone to guide her through the possibilities of what would happen. So we discussed what could happen if she left on Sunday. The possibilities were: she could get on the plane and arrive there in an hour; she could get on the plane and the weather could be so bad in Chicago that the plane would be diverted to another state; she may never get on the plane and have to sit in the Duluth airport for 6 to 8 hours until the next flight was able to head out; or she could wait a day until the weather cleared. She thought through her options and I feel she made the good decision to stay another day (which meant we’d have more time together so I was happy).
The decision was hers and whichever one she made, she eventually would have gotten home but the journey could have changed depending on the circumstances. If a blizzard caused big delays, she could have uncomfortably spent a day in the airport or worse yet her flight might have been diverted to somewhere unknown to her. Without a lot of life experience to know how to transfer around an unknown airport or book alternative flights the simple one hour trip could turn into a nightmare.
Our journeys through life are much the same. We are bombarded with decisions daily and most aren’t wrong or right but can alter our journey from a pleasant one into a nightmare. How do we make informed decisions if we have not had the life experiences to understand the consequences? The only way I know is through prayer and reading God’s word.
The Bible (that 2,000+ year old book) has something for every situation to guide us. No, it does not tell us how to load software but it does give us principals to decide what software to use. Is it legal? The Bible tells us to give to Caesar what is Caesars or in other words pay for what is due to the person it is due to.
It does not tell us whether to go on the internet or not but once again gives us principals to guide our usage of it such as staying away from pornography.
If you do a study in the book of Proverbs you can write down what a wise man does and what a fool does. Follow the wise man’s ways and your journeys will be much more pleasant and successful. Though God has never promised us an easy journey but He has promised that He will be there for us.
A poor decision may mean a difficult journey but He has promised that He will help carry our burdens if we come to Him with them.
Because after all He came to give us both a rich life here on earth and a rich eternal life.
And when all is said and done isn't this why we celebrate Christmas?
Below are some wonderful Etsy shops for you to browse in. Rachel did the picks for them so if you are wondering what a 18 year old would like for Christmas, here are some great ideas!!
Messenger bag by BizzieLizzie
Mini Composition book by UnexpectedTreasure
Dragonfly necklace by jensjewelry
pfdoriginalartworks
Recently my husband and I traveled back to visit my family and helped my mother-in-law clean out closets in preparation for scaling down their household. While there, at the spur of the moment my 18 year old niece, Rachel decided to drive back with us and her grandma said she would pay to fly her back. Cool beans! We always have a great time.
She got here and decided to fly back on Sunday. I was bummed I hoped she would stay another day. We were booking her flight (she was flying back standby) and called my mother-in-law who informed us that major snow/rain storms were heading our way and would impair travel in Chicagoland area.
Rachel was in a quandary as to whether or not to leave. Being 18 she has not a lot of life experience in traveling on her own. To make a good decision she needed someone to guide her through the possibilities of what would happen. So we discussed what could happen if she left on Sunday. The possibilities were: she could get on the plane and arrive there in an hour; she could get on the plane and the weather could be so bad in Chicago that the plane would be diverted to another state; she may never get on the plane and have to sit in the Duluth airport for 6 to 8 hours until the next flight was able to head out; or she could wait a day until the weather cleared. She thought through her options and I feel she made the good decision to stay another day (which meant we’d have more time together so I was happy).
The decision was hers and whichever one she made, she eventually would have gotten home but the journey could have changed depending on the circumstances. If a blizzard caused big delays, she could have uncomfortably spent a day in the airport or worse yet her flight might have been diverted to somewhere unknown to her. Without a lot of life experience to know how to transfer around an unknown airport or book alternative flights the simple one hour trip could turn into a nightmare.
Our journeys through life are much the same. We are bombarded with decisions daily and most aren’t wrong or right but can alter our journey from a pleasant one into a nightmare. How do we make informed decisions if we have not had the life experiences to understand the consequences? The only way I know is through prayer and reading God’s word.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
(for more on this verse see my blog post Heavy Heart)
(Jesus said) Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Matt 22:19-21
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Col 3:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30
(for more on this verse see my post Easy Burdens)
Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:6-10 (The Message)
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Below are some wonderful Etsy shops for you to browse in. Rachel did the picks for them so if you are wondering what a 18 year old would like for Christmas, here are some great ideas!!
Messenger bag by BizzieLizzie
Mini Composition book by UnexpectedTreasure
Dragonfly necklace by jensjewelry
10:30 PM |
Category:
bible,
decision making,
devotion,
guidance,
journey,
Phyllis Ducey
|
9
comments
Comments (9)
So, so true...and what a wonderful time was spend together as a family.
Be safe and travel mercies for all.
Phyllis, great relevant post.
Very helpful and a good one to pass on.
Roxanne
Great post! Thank you!
blessings, Zuda
Lovely way to start my week! Enjoy the journey - I LOVE this! Merriest of Christmas wishes to all! ~Charlotte
Thank you for this wonderful post Phyllis and thank you Rachel for choosing such great items. I LOVE the booties.
♥♥♥
Sue
The Bible is living and relevant. Thanks so much using examples from life in the modern world. It really helps with day to day living to know that the word applies yesterday, today and forever.
Thanks Rachel for picking some great items!
I like to sometimes refer to the bible as the manufacturers handbook. When you buy a new stove, you get one. And, Oh my, how often I refer to that, especially when doing something with the stove that I don't do often. So too, does our Maker give us explicit directions for every thing in life from His most wonderful book.
Loved this post! Great job!
This is excellent! Thanks for sharing, and Rachel picked out some great items!