decisions – Amy Linnea

When others choose, we are not responsible.

Make sense?

Is that an eye-opening statement or is it common sense to you?

We cannot control other people.

Everyone makes their own choices.

That includes your children.

When they are small, or still under your roof, you guide them to the right choices, giving them consequences when they poorly choose.

Why?

Because you are their mentor. Their guide. Their parent. Their authority.

When children grow out from your nest, their choices are their own.

Does not reflect you. At all.

When we acknowledge we are not responsible, we must recognize we cannot change others either.

We cannot beg our children to do what we want. Nor should we.

Decisions must be made on their own. Within their own conscience.

What can we do when our children make choices we deem unacceptable?

Love them anyways.

Be there. Fully. Not accepting sin, but accepting them. Always.

And we wait. We wait for them to come back.

While we wait, we pray. We get on our knees for their very souls who used to praise His name.

We know we aren’t responsible, but we feel we are. Don’t scoop up that burden.

Simply return them to God. He loves them more than you. His heart breaks when they think only of themselves.

You are not responsible for anyone else but yourself. Keep yourself in check. And give the rest to Him.

Photos by Max Goncharov, Kelly Sikkema, & Japheth Mast on Unsplash

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fulness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

Do we have to know?

Do we have to know everything about our future?

How this decision will affect that one later on?

No, we do not.

In fact, we can not.

It’s impossible.

We can plan, but ultimately God is in control.

He is the author and finisher of all life.

When we daily place our trust into His capable hands, He guides us through all of life’s murky waters and the crystal clear ones, too.

I liken life to doors when I think about life’s decisions, big or small.

Sometimes God opens doors.

He opens them wide.

Step through with confidence.

Knowing God opens a door for you should remind you how much He thinks of you.

He knows your heart and as long as you are trusting Him with every breath, rest in the confidence of His goodness and mercy.

Even if the door is open just a crack, knowing He wants you to participate, open the door just a little bit more.

Tell fear to take a hike and stand confidently with God.

But sometimes He slams them in our face.

You might be walking down a certain path, but all the doors are closed.

You see an open door, run to it, but it’s slammed shut before you get there.

Ask God why.

Maybe He’s teaching you patience.

Or maybe He’s telling you no.

So, what should you do when you think you know what God wants you to do, but you’re not totally sure as you have let fear or anxiety in for a visit?

Walk confidently towards the door.

Push on it, and see if it opens.

If it does, take the hand of God and walk through.

Whatever is on the other side will be ok, as long as you are walking with God.

Walking with God means you have given yourself over to His purposes, trusting Him for every breath, every decision big or small.

Your heart is His.

Well, when you put it like that, let’s go!

Where do you want to take me, Lord?

You, Lord, are all I have, and You give me all I need; my future is in Your hands. How wonderful are Your gifts to me; how good they are!

I praise the Lord, because He guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me. I am always aware of the Lord’s presence; He is near, and nothing can shake me.

And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, because You protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and You will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

You will show me the path that leads to life; Your presence fills me with joy
and brings me pleasure forever. Psalm 16:5-11