Choices

     Do you remember when you were first allowed to choose what clothes you wore? Or your hairstyle? What about food choices - did you get any of those as a child?
     I don't mind making most choices because I know what I like or don't like. Some choices are easy. 
     But what about big decisions: where to live...to buy or sell a home...to change jobs...to serve your community...to take classes. Some choices go with age, and I've known that; I just didn't expect so many.
     I've just spent a week with several opportunities, and I'm analyzing my process.
1.  When asked to participate in something, get the facts and what it will require. Read up on stuff; pay close attention to stress levels.
2.  Talk to close friends who will pray for God's wisdom.
3.  Let yourself feel the excitement, examining the opportunities and possibilities.
4.  Watch for self-serving motives to pop up.
5.  Talk to God about it, and write out positives and negatives.
6.  Ask for guidance from the scripture. Be careful here...keep reading it in context, or you might read something like the old:  "And Judas went out and hanged himself; go and do likewise." Nope --- poor exegesis.
7.  Sit on the decision for at least a week...more if possible.
8.  Pray Ann Kimmel's increase/decrease prayer: that if it's God's plan He will increase your desire. If it's not, pray that He will decrease your desire.
     Those are just a few of the things I did in the past week to discover what I needed to do. There's a hint of disappointment, but a boatload of peace about the decision I made.
     Let me hear your process.