The choice

 

For the past year or so, it’s been all about finding and taking the next right step.

In fact, I’ve said next right step so many times it’s becoming white noise.

To be honest, sometimes I don’t choose any step at all.

Now, in defense of short-term indecisiveness, I do believe that after you make a big decision – like retirement, or marriage, or a cross-country move, or a big job change – it takes a minute or two to settle in. Time to take a breath and realize just how big a change it was. And, good golly, Miss Molly, yes, it’s really real.

Well, it’s been a minute or two for me. And I still don’t know where to go. I think I’m asking for guidance and answers. I think I’m keeping my hands and heart open to whatever is yet to happen. But I’m pretty sure that I need to do a little more active asking, active listening, active searching. Not desperate. Just active. Intentional.

Maybe I’ll get a new journal, start a new devotional about hearing God’s will, and ask close friends to pray for me. I’ll scour the internet, search for new connections, write every day, and learn a new skill. I’ll focus and pray.

Pray that my life’s work reflects the gifts I’ve been given in powerful ways, no matter if big or small. Truly the desire of my heart.

And I’ll bet there are women all over the world praying the exact same thing. There must be hundreds, even thousands of Sisters, right this very minute, who have important words the world should read or hear. Sacred words that will soothe and challenge and enlighten and motivate.

Sermons and essays.

Poems.

Memoirs.

But, it may be difficult to write their words as easily as I do, because they have no computer – or electricity.

No pretty journals.

No fancy pens.

Because paper is at a premium and pencils are saved for only the most critical messages.

Because they weren’t allowed to learn to read, so they cannot write.

Because they have no desk – or home.

Because they are running for their lives.

There are hundreds of thousands of them. Some run because they are forced. Some escape under cover of darkness.

Most leave everything…

…without a choice.

How can they bear it? How do these refugee mamas and aunties and sisters and daughters survive crushing uncertainty every single day?

They aren’t asking Jesus to show them what professional or relational direction to take.

They are asking Jesus for enough to make it through the night.

I can’t imagine.

And, for reasons I don’t know, God hasn’t asked me to walk that road.

But the next time I feel that “which way?” frustration or try to decide which journal or pen to use … please, Jesus, help me take a minute or two and remember those who have no choice.

And may I remember that I won’t always know the next right step, the right direction or decision. But I do know what all of my Sisters know – all over the world:

He has shown you … what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Always the right choice.