CHOICES

I stand upon the threshold of a brand new, spotless day,

And ponder all the choices that surround me as I pray.

Because of my redemption, and my gift from God above,

Today I'm free to choose, and I've decided I'll choose LOVE.

For no occasion justifies my hate or bitterness,

And love can cure a multitude of ills that cause distress.

Today I'll choose to dwell in PEACE, and quickly will forgive

Imagined hurts, and wrongful acts, so I might fully live.

I'll choose to act with PATIENCE  as I go about my day,

And even though the wait be long, I'll use that time to pray.

I'll choose to show true KINDNESS to each person that I see,

And pray that they will see the love of Christ alive in me.

Today I'm choosing FAITHFULNESS to promises I make,

And I will be trustworthy, and the truth I'll not forsake.

My choice is also GOODNESS, and I'll strive for honesty

In every action that I take, with true humility.

Today my choice is GENTLENESS in every action done,

So I'll have no regrets to feel at setting of the sun.

I'll strive today for SELF CONTROL in thought, and word, and deed,

And choose the pure and noble things on which my soul can feed.

If I have been successful with the choices I have made,

And sleep tonight with conscience free, secure and unafraid,

I'll praise my precious Lord above, Who gives abundantly

His peace that money cannot buy, and love beyond degree.

But if I fail to live today the way I know I should,

And find I've chosen what is wrong, instead of what is good,

In true repentance I will bow before my Savior's feet,

And I'll find grace and His forgiveness at the Mercy Seat .

by Betty Jo Mings

© 2000

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