Want to get a little something extra out of every day? Sign up for my Living (and loving) Life newsletter.
“I’ve had choices, since the day that I was born.” –George Jones (via the song “Choices”)
That line from that song has always resonated with me, because it’s so true.
Our Creator gave each and every one of us the ability to think for ourselves and make our own choices as we live out our lives here on planet Earth. Of course He also gave us the ultimate guidebook to consult as we evaluate the range of choices before us, but we are still completely free to ultimately make our own choices as we see fit.
The thing is, there are two sides to every choice we make: The benefits and consequences.
When we make a good choice the benefits can be life changing in a very positive way. When we make a bad choice, well…the same thing applies, only in the other direction.
But there’s good news for those of us who have made bad choices (and we have all made them because we are all human). While some bad choices can indeed be life changing in a negative way, there is also hope for a better tomorrow if we make good choices going forward.
That process begins with asking for forgiveness when necessary and accepting grace when it’s offered.
If you have hurt someone and they refuse to forgive you when asked to do so with sincere regret in your heart, don’t spend the rest of your life worrying about it. You have done all you can do to make things right. Some people just don’t forgive that easily and some hurts are so deep they are hard for a person to forgive.
Once again, we are all just human.
The bottom line is this: Bad choices can (and often do) negatively affect our lives but they cannot prevent us from making better choices now and in the future.
The past is just that – the past. The rest of your life – and mine – starts right now.
Now, let’s return to George Jones for just a moment…
Mr. Jones certainly made his fair share of bad choices in life but he ultimately overcame them with the help of his wife and the good Lord. I believe there’s a lesson to be learned there.
If you have never heard the song “Choices” just watch the short video below. There’s a lesson in there as well.