Informed Decisions

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him and He shall direct your paths. ”

— Proverbs 3:5-6

I have had that taped to my bathroom mirror for 7 years. 

What a journey it has been!

I have decided that my faith, rooted in my belief in Jesus Christ, will inform my decisions.  When I find myself making decisions based on my understanding, my circumstances, fear/worry, other’s reactions, or my emotions I use God’s promises and prayer to realign my efforts.

Faith beats logic every time.  Stepping into my late mother’s shoes to raise my niece and nephew is one example.  Love and faith informed that decision.  I was one person raising two children while working full time and have spent the last 7 years finding my way and clarifying my purpose after losing my husband/best friend to cancer.  Just in time to open my heart, home, and freely give of my time and resources to welcome my niece and nephew when my mother and their guardian passed away suddenly in 2020. 

Antonio and my mom share the same birthday, June 29th.  We went to the beach to celebrate and reflect. We remain grateful for the impact that my mom and Antonio had on our lives. We thank God for his guidance and provision. A road trip is always a great way to team build. We are learning to embrace and encourage each other as we walk out each of our unique stories.

No matter what it looks like or feels like in any given moment, I know that God has a plan and I am in full participation.  I made the pivotal decision to accept Christ into my heart as a little girl, but I am only now beginning to understand what is to have a personal relationship with Christ.

I have this written on a large white board in my room to guide and reorient me so I can live it.

Sharing it with you.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and ALL these things will be added unto you Matthew 6:33

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask, John 15:7,8

Pray
Be anxious for NOTHING, but by prayer and petition with thanksgiving Philippians 4:6

Rejoice Always.  Pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances I Thessalonians 5:16


Love
Create in me a pure heart Psalm 51:10

 
Power/Strength
Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His Power Ephesians 3:20

I raised you up for my power in you that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth Exodus 9:16

My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9


 All is Well
The Lord is my Shepherd I lack Nothing Psalm 23:1

Be still, and know that I am God Psalm 46:10

Let nothing move you I Corinthians 15:38


God is Faithful
Never will I leave you never will I forsake you Hebrews 13:1

I will never leave you nor forsake you Joshua 1:5

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you Deuteronomy 31:8

I will not forsake them Isaiah 42:16”

— The Bible

Are you intentional about what informs the way you make decisions?

 Full scriptural references:

But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and al these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of it’s own. Matthew 6:33, 34 NIV

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish , and it will be given you.  This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples John 15:7,8 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6 NIV

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all the generations, forever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians3:20 NIV

 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 9:16 NIV

But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore I boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9, 10

The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1 NIV

Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 NIV

Therefore, my brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58 NIV

Keep your lives free from the loves of money and be content with what you have , because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5Noone will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you not forsake you.  Joshua 1:5 NIV

The Lord himself foes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.  Isaiah 42:16