It's A New Day

[Deleted member 67185]

I have posted this bit of writing by Max Lucado before. It has been a few months since I have taken time to read this message -- which is something that I often took the time to do in the past.

Many of us have gone through changes, disappointments, stresses, challenges, and regretful interactions over the last months. We fret over things that seem out of control and the decisions which are made by those who have charge over us. Camino walks that bring a different outcome than we might have wished and hoped for have been part of that experience for some of us. For many of us, the Camino represents what is best in life

Still and all, I always hope to incorporate Lucado's inspirational message as I go through the day. . . and seek solace in forgiveness when I inevitably fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice.

Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace. I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness. I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness. I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness. Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control. I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithful-ness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Excerpted from 'Let the Journey Begin' by Max Lucado

 

[Former member 59618]

I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker

That one got me.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Wonderful, thank you!

 

[nycwalking]

@davebugg,

I needed that.

Have a blessed weekend.

Buen life camino.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thanks, Dave, for taking the time to type up this lovely, uplifting message by Max Lucado...very much appreciated.

 

[Camino Lily]

@davebugg,

I needed that.

Have a blessed weekend.

Buen life camino.

❤

+1 struggling lately & this reminded me of being on the Camino. The beauty & promise of each day as we start anew. Thank you!

 

[Ivan_Prada]

I have posted this bit of writing by Max Lucado before. It has been a few months since I have taken time to read this message -- which is something that I often took the time to do in the past.

Many of us have gone through changes, disappointments, stresses, challenges, and regretful interactions over the last months. We fret over things that seem out of control and the decisions which are made by those who have charge over us. Camino walks that bring a different outcome than we might have wished and hoped for have been part of that experience for some of us. For many of us, the Camino represents what is best in life

Still and all, I always hope to incorporate Lucado's inspirational message as I go through the day. . . and seek solace in forgiveness when I inevitably fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice.

Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace. I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness. I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness. I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness. Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control. I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithful-ness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Excerpted from 'Let the Journey Begin' by Max Lucado

Dave:

As always, you have something to share with all of us. Very glad you did; touched very deep.

Many Thanks and Blessings,

Iván

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thanks Dave.
(I love Max Lucado)

 

[Bodi]

Thanks for posting this, davebugg. There’s a lot to think about here.

 

[BCavalier]

Thank you for sharing.

 

[aussieannie]

I have posted this bit of writing by Max Lucado before. It has been a few months since I have taken time to read this message -- which is something that I often took the time to do in the past.

Many of us have gone through changes, disappointments, stresses, challenges, and regretful interactions over the last months. We fret over things that seem out of control and the decisions which are made by those who have charge over us. Camino walks that bring a different outcome than we might have wished and hoped for have been part of that experience for some of us. For many of us, the Camino represents what is best in life

Still and all, I always hope to incorporate Lucado's inspirational message as I go through the day. . . and seek solace in forgiveness when I inevitably fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice.

Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace. I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness. I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness. I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness. Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control. I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithful-ness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Excerpted from 'Let the Journey Begin' by Max Lucado

 

[aussieannie]

[QUOTE="aussieannie, post: 778519, member: 7907"
Thank you for this reminder of what we should strive to be Dave. I appreciate the shared wisdom of this group, and your contribution in particular. Thank you

 

[Camino Lily]

+1 struggling lately & this reminded me of being on the Camino. The beauty & promise of each day as we start anew. Thank you!

UPDATE: today I met the son of a fellow pilgrim who walk 1 year after I did. I keep hearing the Camino calling!

 

[K Turner]

Thank you. My husband and I are sitting in Villasandino just beyond Castrojeriz. Our Camino has been challenging, with injuries and such (falling down the stairs in Santo Domingo de la Calzada isn't fun). We've found though that locals and our fellow pilgrims are great people and treat one another well and with kindness. The excerpt you shared helps me remember that, and keep perspective.