The story...
I was waiting in a McDonalds line on the way back from a trip where I was less than a team player. For whatever reasons, I resented efforts from other people to bend the plans for our two-family trip. Surely I knew that others had different expectations, perceptions, needs and wants; yet, I seemed to think I knew best for everyone. I was frustrated with everything about that restaurant and the people who were there too. It was bad enough that I remember thinking - "this is not okay, you need to be different." Something had to change - I remember waiting in the line and pondering the situation so it must have been an impactful life moment. "There's got to be a better way."
How do we know when we're not acting or thinking as a whole person - missing something that we need to make wise decisions? We might: think wrongly, act selfishly, resent what others did or who they seem to be, know less than necessary, isolate from needed compadres, try to prevent further wounds, focus on pleasing people, be co-dependent on other people, or possibly act separately from the Spirit of God. As if those reasons aren't enough to pause before acting, the acronym HALT comes to mind - pause if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
Might the only church in town offer a true message of hope, peace, and joy (Romans 15:13)? Might a humble, more truthful, life-walk with God be the good life? Yes...
Just for today...
"Although my life was full of chaos, it was familiar chaos, which gave me the feeling that I had some control over it. This was an illusion." Courage to Change (p. 265)
"With my thoughts distorted by fear, despair and resentment, and my nerves overwrought, I could not think clearly nor make wise decisions." One Day at a Time (p. 265)
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