"CHOICES"

Wickepedia defines the word "choice" as the mental process of thinking involved with the process of judging the merits of multiple options and selecting one of them for action. Choices or "free will" seems like a very liberating concept. I remember as a teenager thinking that I could not wait until I was 18 so I could make my own choices without interference from others. Now at the age of 40..almost 41 I see that this is not the case. People in my circle of influence do weigh in and I WELCOME it for in many cases if someone had not stepped in I could have made some choices that would have been detrimental not just for myself but others. Many times as of late, I find myself at a crossroads with my own teenager. I want her to make good choices but I know that this is not always possible. I personally have to make a choice of whether to step in so she can avoid making a bad choice or to let her make that choice and deal with the consequences. It really is a fine line. For me, the defining moment in my life came when I was 18. I was getting ready to leave for college and a series of things led me to really act out in a negative way. My stepfather's dad passed away whom I had grown close to. I was leaving home for the first time and my perception was no one seemed to care. Anyway, I was in a store and decided to stick a polo shirt in my purse. Now, I knew this was wrong and I think a small part of me knew I was going to get caught. I made a choice in that moment and for the first time I saw that my choice would have a lasting impact. The only person that knew about this at the time was my grandmother Ruth. I confided in her and she went to court with me where I had a public defender because I could not afford an attorney. The attorney weaved a great story on how I was a good student and I was leaving for college, etc. I was very lucky and paid a fine and went on my way. On that day I learned two lessons....one family is so important because they will always be there for you and two....I never stole again! Choices...good and bad shape us into who we are and in some ways can define us. I am so grateful that life is not fair. I am so humbled that God made a "choice" to sacrifice his son in a single act of mercy and grace. I believe God knows what good and bad choices I am going to make and my daughter is going to make and her daughter is going to make and so on....That he saw those choices and chose to give us the gift of "grace" through his Son. I love what John Wayne said shortly before his death. Yes John Wayne....I know you would not expect someone like me to quote John Wayne. I never really got into the plot of his movies but I always loved the sound of his voice. He spoke like someone that really gets it...He said, "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."

OK I do not intend to make this a serious blog all the time. It really is meant to share reflections and what is going on in general in my life and those close to me. In the coming weeks, I will be going to Mexico to love on some beautiful children and I will have lots to share when I return along with some beautiful pictures I am sure. In the meantime, I would love prayers for myself and my daughter Taylor about that trip.

On St. Patrick's Day, I had the opportunity to spend the evening with friends at a local pub and had an absolute blast. I have attached a couple of pics from that evening.