How often do we stop and discern the situation ahead?

How often do we stop and ask God for guidance in the next decision?

Is He really our number ONE?

I want to believe that He is! But then I catch myself going ahead and making a decision without including Him.

I was raised in an entrepreneur home. My dad was a contractor, building houses and roads. My mom did the books and office work besides taking care of us kids, household, garden, and so on.  She was multitasking which left a great impression on me. Mom was the best! She was always there when we got home. We kids were so blessed that we didn’t have to come home to an empty house. Thank you mom!

Growing up any conversation at the breakfast, lunch or dinner table was mostly about business. It was the number one priority. That said, our parents took time out to be there for us kids, go on vacations, and be involved in the community. Some of the good memories I have are that the whole family had breakfast and dinner together every day. It was normal to be together for breakfast in the morning before work and school. The same for dinner; everyone knew to be home by 18:00h. It’s something I miss in today’s world where everyone just rushes out of the house in the morning to get to work and school. I understand that some parents have to be at work before 6 or 7 o’clock in the morning, so it’s kind of impossible to sit down with the whole family to have breakfast. In the cases where I think it would be possible, I feel that the “family” is staying behind because of today’s stress projected onto everyone from society! Especially leaving God on the back-burner.

Well, with being brought up believing that your business/work is number one in your life, family and friends second, it is hard for me to stop and include the Lord Jesus Christ in all my life’s decisions.

I really really want Him to be number ONE on my mind, and in my decisions! It’s just so hard to change. Actually, I know I can’t change without Him. So, I pray and ask Him for wisdom and His help to put Him first! And I study His word; trying to do it daily. I think it is working!

In this endeavour the book MIND FRAMES by Warren Henderson (ISBN188270194-1) is a great help to me. I would like to quote what I read today from page 43:

“The child of God is to discern between what is holy and what is evil, what is wise and what is foolish. What is holy and wise should be obeyed, and what is evil and foolish should be shunned. The matter of discerning between right and wrong behaviour is dependent upon knowing the commandments of Scripture. Discerning between what is wise and what is foolish is dependent upon knowing God’s commandments, warnings, principles, promises, and the lessons learned from personal narratives in Scripture. In fact, the Lord addressed the matter of being wise and not foolish much more often than the matter of what is right and what is wrong, though the latter would be included in what is wise and foolish. Gaining discernment of what is wise and what is foolish requires prayer, study, godly counsel, and the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.”

Romans 16:19-20 NKJV
For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

May my story be an encouragement and blessing to you—dear reader. Feel free to let me know your thoughts; I would love to hear your side of the story.

Thank you for reading, blessings, Elfriede