It has been nearly 4 months since I’ve posted a devotional after doing it daily for several years.  The death of our youngest son’s wife (Stephanie) and their baby (Declan) has been a difficult time.  We are so grateful for the prayer and encouragement we have received.  A few days ago I began reading a devotional book by Max Lucado, God’s Roadmap For New Beginnings – Let the Journey Begin.  The Lord has used it to move me to begin again.  Today and tomorrow I am posting one of his devotionals, “I Choose Love”, in 2 parts.  Today is Part 1.

It’s quiet.  It’s early.  My coffee is hot.  That sky is still black.  The world is still asleep.  The day is coming.

In a few minutes the day will arrive.  It will roar down the track with the rising of the 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.  Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose.  And so I choose.

I choose love….   No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness.  I choose love.  Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy…  I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.  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, created by God.  I will refuse to see any problems as anything less that an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace…  I will be forgiven.  I will forgive so that I may live.

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, I will thank God for a moment to pray.  Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

Continued tomorrow with Part 2