How Do You Choose?

IF GOD SAYS SOMETHING IS WRONG, THEN IT’S WRONG. PERIOD.

Bible Reading of the Day: Read Joshua 24:14-15.

Verse of the Day: “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Mom stood in front of the vending machine at the highway rest stop. Mom, Rita, and Kim were on their way home from camp. “What kind of candy would you like, Rita?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Rita said. She turned to her friend. “You choose first, Kim.”

Kim crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “OK.” She thought for just a moment. “I’m in the mood for a Smackaroon bar, please,” she said to Rita’s mom.

“A Smackaroon bar it is,” Mom said as she inserted the coins and pressed the button. “Now, Rita, have you made a decision yet?”

Rita smiled and nodded. “I’ll have the same thing she chose,” she announced.

Mom inserted more coins and pushed the same button. Rita pulled her candy bar from the machine, and the two girls walked back to the car with Mom.

“It was interesting to watch you two girls make choices,” Mom said. “You chose your candy the way a lot of people try to make right choices.”

“What do you mean, Mom?” Rita asked.

“Well, some people try to make right choices the way Kim chose her candy bar. They try to decide what’s right or wrong based on how they feel. For example, if they feel mad, they think it’s all right to hit someone or call someone a name.” Mom, Rita, and Kim got into the car, and Mom continued talking as she drove.

“Other people try to make right choices the way you chose your candy bar, Rita. They try to decide what’s right or wrong depending on what everyone else is doing. If they see other people cheating or breaking the law, they think it’s OK for them to do it too.”

“You’re right, Mom,” Rita said. “I never thought of that before.” “It would be kinda dumb to choose right and wrong the way we choose a candy bar, wouldn’t it?” Kim said. She and Rita exchanged smiles.

“I think so,” Mom said. “Instead of making decisions based on how you feel or what other people are doing, I hope you girls will always make your choices according to what God says to do. If you do that, you won’t go wrong.” “Uh, Mom,” Rita called. “You just made a wrong choice.” “What’s that?” Mom asked. “You passed our house!”

TO DO: Carry a piece of candy in your pocket or purse tomorrow to remind yourself that it’s best to make your choices according to what God says to do.

TO PRAY: “Jesus, help us to honor you with our choices.”