Each Day by Max Lucado

The day is coming
The refuge of the early
morning will be invaded
by decisions to be madeand deadlines to be met

For the next twelve hours
I will be exposed to the
day’s demands. It is nowI 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 gives.

I choose Joy…
I will invite God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be
cynical… The tool of 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 clenching 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.
I will be 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 only be in prayer.
If I make a demand,
may it only be of myself.

I choose Self-Control...
I am a spiritual being
after this body is dead,
my spirit will soar.
I will refuse to let what will rot
rule the eternal. 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.

Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness & 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.

- Galatians 5:22