Morning Decisions

Yep. This is the way it happens way too often. You get set into a pattern. Something happens—everything changes. As we prepare to say goodbye to our last pups, they have taken over our lives. From eight, we have two, and these two need more attention than they can get from each other.

I’m sitting at my temporary desk (Dining), and the pups occupy several hallways and kitchen vinyl floors (for obvious reasons). I struggle to refill my coffee or head to the thinking room (Restroom). They are barricaded in, and I’m climbing over obstacles to get in.

We love our puppies. But it’s time for their forever homes to step up and take over. That happens Saturday. It can’t come soon enough.

Right now, the tiny velociraptors are sleeping about ten feet away. They are not allowed by my computer wires or on the carpet. Teeth and Tinkle do not fit my inside life!

My morning needs to change back to what I want, how I like it, and the “when” – yep. It’s all left up to me to set.

Life Constantly Changes

Life and Times May Change, but God doesn’t. (Malachai 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) Culture and Heritage evolve. We should realize two things.

1. We live today based on those who brought us to our lives.
2. We should live today supporting the future to keep their growth moving forward.

There is a pattern of thought that what we are coming from, who brought us here, and what we decide to do now affects the future. The Great Law of the Iroquois Nation suggests that what decisions are made now should consider seven generations forward. That’s hundreds of years of thinking forward! Call it sustainability or stewardship. It would be wise to consider the future, especially if those who brought us here hundreds of years ago were thoughtful enough to think of us.

Since nobody hundreds of years ago could envision today’s landscape, it must be more than just pushing the envelope of inventions and science. Taking care of each other should be a primary piece of the puzzle.

Last night, a stop for milk and bread, I was asked by a younger person if I had any money to help him buy groceries. Immediately, I said no. My hands were full, my body was dragging after a long day, and all I could think about was rest. Recovery. Velociraptors. Sorry. No cash. Another customer started muttering under her breath about being healthy enough to get a job and work for money and quit asking others for help. Every step to her car, she muttered.

I’m not sure where either party comes to this modern life, but we are stewards of each other. Some deserve our focus, but there are many scammers out there. Maybe I should have offered to buy a few things for the man, but I was caught ill-prepared to think the moment through. Equally, I could chide the other person for their words, which might create a scene I have no time to handle. My body was tired, my mind was coming down from a teaching session, and I had to get home before I felt like I would collapse!

I’m not making this up.

Decisions

The load we carry can sometimes spill over into the moment. Caught between the poles of yes or no, glad to or no way, even help me so I can help you. We struggle with making the correct decision. No cash, but I do have a debit card. I could help, but my comfort zone was flashing danger signals. I’m chastised by my thoughts of duty and worried about being taken advantage of.

Not to take a moment out of context, but a scripture comes to mind. It’s a simple phrase amid a time when changes needed to be made.

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
Joel 3:14 NKJV

Elijah told the people to choose which way they would go (1 Kings 18:21). Joshua challenged Israel to choose (Joshua 24:15). Demas decided to go back to the present world (2 Timothy 4:10), Saul decided to let David fight Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37). Jesus chose to wait a few days after hearing that Lazarus was sick unto death (John 11:6).

Decisions. We make life and death choices all the time and often think nothing about them. On a two-lane road with the speed limit at 70, two cars head toward each other, separated by an imaginary line painted in yellow and white. Protected by a light coat of paint. We trust the other is as responsible as we are, and we pray their vehicle is safe enough to be on the road.

Choose For The Future

I wonder, if all things are equal, what kind of changes would we make if we’re stewards of our future. Think about your children. We make choices for them. How far into the future are you choosing for them? It’s our responsibility to prepare them.

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

It would be my prayer that this is how you were raised. We must break the bad habits of our past as the future unfolds. If you were not raised the way you feel, then you have an opportunity to change who you are and aim for a future seven generations later.