Have You Ever Made A Wrong Choice?

Wisdom:  

knowledge and good judgment based on experience; 

being wise.

I've tried to make right choices, but I have to confess that not always has that been true. Why? It's easy to list reasons (and/or excuses?).

• lack of knowledge 
• a desire to have my own way 
• influence of others

I'm sure there are many others, but we'll focus on these three.

• Lack of knowledge. Perhaps a person may find themselves in a situation that seems appropriate only to realize that it's entirely out of line for what they can enjoy: a party that is a bit too wild for their tastes or with things happening that doesn't sit well. A bit more study (and prayer) on how these parties work, what happens during them, or even who attends might well raise caution in the heart of the person planning on attending.

Example:  One time, I was persuaded to attend a function that I had no idea about. It was a disaster. I wasn't there five minutes until I knew it wasn't the place I wanted to be. Regardless of the rather questionable community around, I departed and waited on the bus to take me home--trusting God to protect me--and glad to be gone and wiser on listening to the inner voice of God. 

• A desire to have one's own way. Sometimes even the best of us can be headstrong. We all have desires, and that, of itself, is not wrong. But as Christians, we must always wrap our desires around what God wants, and he never, ever wants the bad for us. Quiet time, reading his Word, and spending time in prayer will help keep selfish or wrong desires from prevailing in our lives. 

Example:  We (my hubby and I) saw and liked a certain car. We wanted it so much that we went ahead with little or no prayer, and bought it. Trouble. We had more problems with that car than many others. From then on, we've tried our best to seek the one that God provides--and most times, we love the vehicle!! 

• Influence of others.  Sometimes others--friends, acquaintances and/or work companions--even with good intentions, may coax us to participate in activities. They don't have to be bad activities or deeds. They can be the best of the best. But we should have a sense of what is right and good for us. What can we do that is reasonable for us. How much pushes us to overload. With God's guidance and our own common sense we can decide what will keep us with our insanity intact and with much less stress in our lives.

Example:  I've always been an active person: teaching private schools and in Sunday Schools, homeschooling, laboring in the music department, preparing special programs for church, visiting, taking care of the home besides working in a public job, and many, many other things. But there are limits to what even an active person can do.

One year, during the Christmas season, I realized we were too busy. I had gotten into the habit of signing us up to go to every event, attend every special program, send too many cards, decorate way too much--and on and on...It was time to slow down. That year, I purposed in my heart, that I, we, couldn't do everything. Choosing what we really wanted to do, concentrating on the ones who meant the most to us, relaxing and keeping it simple was the avenue I needed to take. 

Learn to make as many right choices as we can. We don't always get it right, but we can sure try hard to do so. With God's help, I think we'll have a far greater success rate. 

Remember:  

Wisdom is better than rubies, 

and all things that may be desired 

are not to be compared to it. 

--The Bible

About Carole:

Besides being an active participant of many writing groups, Carole is an award winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance and whimsy into her books, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Word Sharpeners: https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Drama

I’ve never been a drama queen. In fact, I’m happy if I’m not anywhere near drama and will do whatever I can to make sure it doesn’t find me. But unfortunately in this day and age, drama isn’t always avoidable. It crops up in our families, at work, and in our surroundings. The point is knowing what to do when we are thrown into a difficult situation.

I first have to remember to pray. For the persons involved and wisdom for myself in knowing how to handle the drama. I also need to go to scripture to see what God’s Word has to say.

Last week on Facebook, I asked what Bible verses bring comfort when they are in the midst of something that causes them to be anxious. I love this one verse that someone posted. “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 (NASB) Here’s another good one: Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6,7 NLT)

I’m thankful that no matter what I face, I can be assured of God’s love for me and that He isn’t surprised by the problem. He promises to not give me more than I can handle. I take comfort in that.

How about you? What do you do when you are in the middle of a dramatic scene that you wished you weren’t a part of?

Receive Power Be Witnesses

I love to have opportunities to share the Good News of Christ’s sacrifice and free gift of salvation! I’ve spoken before of answering “Blessed and Highly Favored!” to anyone asking me, “How are you?” I’ve been using that truth (I AM always blessed and highly favored no matter what else is going on) nigh onto thirty years now as my response.

It’s afforded me many openings to tell them the ‘story’ behind it and share His Word. It’s a way Holy Spirit and I came up with to #1 be sure I tell the truth (instead of replying ‘good’ or ‘fine’ when I am neither) #2 be proactive in opening the door to testify to family, friends, and perfect strangers.

I grew up with a mama who modeled this ‘making your own opportunities’ protocol. She bought a white sweatshirt then took it to the T-Shirt Shack to have some of those heat-pressed letters put on it. She had them stretch PBPGIFWMY across its chest. The first time I saw it, what do you suppose I did? I asked, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

It means, “Please be patient, God isn’t finished with me yet.” My mother was not an angry or impatient woman at all, but the sweetest, kindest lady with the biggest servant’s heart I’ve ever known, bar none. I just grinned and love her all the more for her love of the Lord and her fun way of making her own opportunity to share Jesus.

She wore that sweatshirt often. I hope my brother or sister or one of her grandsugars still have it. I don’t guess I’ve seen it since she went to live with Him in Heaven, but I have wonderful mental photos and videos of the times I was with her when she used it as a means to fulfill the Great Commission.

I encourage you to get with Holy Spirit and come up with ways of opening the door for you to be His witness! Just ask Him. :) He loves brainstorming and is so creative!
Or do you already have a clever way? Will you share it with us? 

Caryl McAdoo is all about loving God! She currently writes four series: the historical Christian ‘Texas Romance’; a contemporary ‘Red River Romance’; The Generations, her Biblical fiction, and the newest Days of Dread Trilogy for mid-grade readers. Known as the Singing Pray-er, she loves praising with new songs the Lord gives her and prays her story gives God glory! 

    In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-plus years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Besides glorifying Him, she hopes each title will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons.

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Mama and Her Wisdom

May is flowers, and late spring and mothers.

                                                                  Mama dressed up

It’s what you think of when you think of the month, and since my mama went to heaven a little over two weeks ago, I wanted to mention some things she taught me. These are three that I love the most.



READ. Mama instilled a love of reading in her children at an early age. I remember her reading while my two brothers and I were gathered around her chair. Sometimes she’d try to skip a page (she had read the book many times!) but we didn’t let her get away with that! We knew it by heart and wanted
every page read.

That love still lives inside me today. That’s one reason, I’m sure, I’m a writer. That’s another reason why my hubby and I taught our boys to read before they went to school and that they still love to read today.

Reading is important. It was a valuable lesson Mama taught us.



                   Mama and a friend

CLEANLINESS. Mama kept our clothes neat and clean. She dressed us well. We learned at an early age to remove our school and church clothes for play clothes. As an adult now, Mama’s teachings, drilled into us, have shown us that respecting yourself, giving others a good image, and feeling good about yourself are important. 






                                                                                                            Young Mama
LOVE. Mama loved us even when we disagreed, especially after we grew up. We might not have always done as she wanted, but we knew she loved us and we loved her. We learned that no matter what, love. Love yourself, love others, love your family, your children, your spouse, your friends. Love is the greatest of other attributes. Love is important.


               Older Mama





Mama’s lessons taught us to become worthy citizens, decent human beings, capable workers and good parents. Not perfect, but parents who strive to do the right thing.



Thanks for the lessons, Mama. Well done.

About the author:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Connect with her here:

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Read about her books here:

Amazon