No More Regrets!

  Maddie and I were eating lunch when she grabbed a little chocolate bar (her Dad bought them of course ;)).  She broke off a little piece and said here ya go Mom!  I was right in the middle of eating my fish taco so this was the ONE time that chocolate didn't sound very appetizing.  I told her no thanks and she quickly replied, "Why because you think you're too fat?"  I thought....well maybe but it hasn't stopped me before...haha!  But then she in her own little Maddie way went on and said, "Mom what if they stop making chocolate like RIGHT NOW and you NEVER get to have any again?  Wouldn't you be sorry you didn't eat it?"

 I drove her and a friend to the pool and on the way home I was thinking about what she said.  How many times have I passed up something and missed my chance?  How many times have I not noticed an amazing opportunity because something like fear or what others would think stopped me in my tracks?

So of course when I got home I not only grabbed one of those little candy bars....but two!!!!  Then I started thinking some more.  How many times do we get confused on what temptations are that may NOT be good for us or miss GOD GLORIFYING opportunities????  For me...it's a daily struggle. 

I did a little research and asked my Heavenly Father to give me a check list on how to make decisions that will only glorify Him.  Here's what He showed me:

1.  Read the Bible and pray.  What does God say to you about it?   Is it Biblical????  Does the Bible speak against it....if so RUN the other direction.

2.  What are your circumstances?  Is God opening doors?  Things don't just happen by chance!!

3.  What is your heart telling you?  Is the Holy Spirit revealing God's plan to you?  If you feel total assurance you will feel God guiding you.

4.  What are other believers telling you?  Do sermons, christian books and music confirm what you are feeling?

5.  My most favorite one and the HARDEST one....STRETCH YOUR FAITH!  Allow God to take His time in showing you. Trust that He will reveal His will when it is time. God doesn’t always answer or give direction on our time-table. He works His own plans in His own way. Trust that He has done this enough to know exactly what you need and when you need it.