Simple? Complicated? I choose it!

I love the simple life.  I could lose myself in a white rocker on the front porch with a Diet Coke, Real Simple magazine, and some beautiful flowers.  I won't lie, I am one that envisions life a certain way.  Simple.  Together.  Not missing a moment of life.  I absolutely love to think of such moments.
But life is not always like that I would say,  ummm...75% of the time at the Gasaway 5 household.  In fact, it seems like choices are having to be made constantly in our home these days.  Sometimes tough ones.  Not too much time is spent watching the grass grow or the cows moo. 



(But know we steal the chance whenever we can!)

I guess my idea of the simple life goes all the way back to my senior year of high school.  It was then that I dreamt of nothing more than marrying my guy (Warren), having 5 or so kids, and raising 3 holstein cows. 

"The mind of man plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9



My dear friend Laura and me at Mansfield High Graduation



  Little did I know that day in May 1995 that life would be filled with so many choices.  Complicated choices.  I could have never imagined what would be in our path over the next 10, 20 years. I thank God we began our marriage with one firm choice that would guide us through these years.

"...choose for yourselves today whom you will serve:

...but as for me and my house,

we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15



Over the years,  Warren and I had to make choices regarding the direction for my education and his job in television.  Choices to submit to the call of ministry.  Choices on a name for a baby boy.  And another.  A baby girl's name.  When to discipline.  When to teach. Choice to invest in teenagers, children, and families.  Seminary?  A second vehicle?   Choices to make with broken bones and earring backs that would need to be surgically removed from eardrums.  Choosing to "cry and walk" when your parents die.  Choice of teachers.  And two-income family?  Where is God leading?  Picking up deep roots and planting them somewhere new. What activities to participate in?  Choice to go back to school.  Choice of what to do when you are stranded with a 15 year old vehicle on the side of the road.

 Choices.  Lots of them.  Some petty.  Some not.  But choices all the same.

"Who is the man who fears the Lord?

He will instruct him in the way he should choose." Psalm 25:12

As I search the scriptures, I am reminded over and over the choices women of God have had to make over the years.

Hannah chose to give the child she so dearly loved to the Lord. "...For this boy I prayed..." I Samuel 1:27a

Esther had to choose to be used "...for such a time as this." Esther 4:14.

Ruth chose to be faithful to her mother -in- law "for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people will shall be my people, and your God, my God."  Ruth 1:16

Mary chose to be courageous and carry in her womb the Savior.  She chose to stay courageous as she raised Him day by day.   "...and His mother treasured all these things in her heart," Luke 2:51

Lydia chose to be hospitable and open her home to others.  "...come into my house and stay..." Acts 16:15b

And then there is the choices I must make each day.  Choices to be kind.  Choices to love.  Choices to obey Him.  Choices to depend on Him.  I have to intentionally choose to do good to others.  Choose to "dispense grace."

"...refuse evil and choose good." Isaiah 7:15b

I can remember clearly when this little guy was 3. A future student of the Class of 2015.







I can remember thinking "2015 is a looonnngggg time away."  I am pretty sure I must have blinked because in 3 years,  it will be me sealing those graduation cards.  Me getting the wrinkles out of the graduation gown.  And me planning the food for family and friends to gather and celebrate.

The month of May sure reminds me to stop.  Stop right where I am.  And choose. 

Choose to be intentional.

Choose to love.

Choose to look for teachable moments.

Choose to love those in my house.  No matter what.

Choose to get enough sleep so I am not grumpy.

Choose to talk to God in prayer.  All day long.

Choose to open my Bible.  Even if it is in the car rider line at school.

Choose to lose the bad attitude.

Choose to spend wisely and work hard.

Choose to make memories in my home.

Choose to love the Lord with all I am.

The generations in my home depend on it.  Legacy.  It starts today.  With me.  I have no more time to waste.  I must choose.



Class of 2012, your time is here.  Choose wisely.  Today.  A godly legacy.   HE chose you for it. 

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you,

and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit,..."  John 15:16a

El Dorado High Class of 2012 with former President, Bill Clinton

Congratulations!

"Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?

And who may stand in His holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood,

And has not sworn deceitfully.

He shall receive a blessing from the Lord

And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This is the generation of those who seek Him,

Who seek Thy face..."  Psalm 24:3-6a