On my 16th birthday, I passed my driver’s test, came home and snatched my sis and our friend Shelly. We drove up to the hill above our high school and I proceeded to do donuts (while we scream-laughed) in my parents’ car – a brown babe-magnet Buick that we called the Bean. I managed to boost the Bean onto the two wheels of its driver-side. Had we crashed (and lived to tell), I would not have seen the driver seat of the Bean or any other car until I was 30.

My life’s story reads of some stupid, silly, and unwise choices. But fortunately, as I ticked off experiences and learned to pause before acting, my wisdom meter began to move in the right direction and the irresponsible, unwise decisions dwindled. In my adult life, my Jesus became my go-to for big and little decisions and His word my wisdom-holder -most of the time (somewhere in me still lives a girl who loves a bit of cray-cray).

Because I need discernment for some decisions in 2020, I chose WISDOM as my word of the year. Not huge decisions but several concerns that are muddling my thoughts with question marks, concerns that need a pause.

Should I stay in a community group that might not be right for me anymore? How do I know?
Do I need to look for a different job? If not now, when?
Where do I turn for help with unclear health issues?
Do I off-load a volunteer commitment?

I do not want to grab the keys and jump impulsively because of what seems like greener grass or an uncomfortable circumstance.

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.” (HCSB)

The way to go isn’t always clear. Yet I know when I sit with Jesus, pause, and open the Word, I have taken the first, best step. As I offer my prayers and questions, clarity begins, and I am bathed in peace.

Because I yearn to be a wiser woman, I choose to seek wisdom with intentionality and go to God first instead of jumping in the car without a thought of what’s to come.

I am grateful for the positive movement of my life’s wisdom meter. And I am grateful I survived me! And that my sister, Shelly, and the Bean survived me too.

Oh ya. And… no need to tell my boys The Bean story. For now, let’s let them believe their mom was a responsible, wise teen. We can tell them after they’ve learned the pause of wisdom and to take the first best step.
Thanks.

Reflection:
Do you have decisions to make that need a pause?
Are you tempted to act impulsively because of greener grass or an uncomfortable circumstance?
For more, read Psalm 143:8, Psalm 34:11 and Psalm 73:24