August 25, 2021

Each Day…

Life@Work

It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. And so I choose…

I CHOOSE TO LOVE…No occasion justifies hatred, no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.

I CHOOSE JOY…I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity.

I CHOOSE PEACE…I will forgive so that I may be forgiven.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE…I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, l will be thankful for a moment to reflect. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS…I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for this is how I would want to be treated.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS…I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in thankfulness. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL… I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Adapted from Max Lucado, When God Whispers Your Name