I didn't realize how much time I wasted during the day deliberating over choices until I paid closer attention to my decision-making process. Make my chai tea now or wait until after breakfast? And what should I have—that oatmeal my husband made a good hour ago that's cold or eggs—but then I'd have to clean another pan. Maybe I should respond to emails, no, no, get the morning clean up done first, then work. You could find me still in the kitchen, arguing with myself, a good ten minutes into this blessedly short summer morning.
In today's Gospel, Christ is instructing His disciples on being honest and not needing an oath to be people of their word. (Matthew 5:37) I hear that and feel it encouraging me also to make decisions and form healthy, holy habits so I don't waiver and waffle and flippity-flop all throughout the day. Say yes to a morning prayer routine that's feasible for this season of your life. For me, that's probably reading the Blessed is She devotions while I nurse the toddler in the early morning followed by a series of GOD HELP and I LOVE AND NEED YOU throughout my day. For you, that may be saying yes to a Rosary on your commute instead of morning talk shows.
And maybe I say no to the third hunk of chocolate I dug out of the freezer because I don't even really want it anyway and my body deserves to be nourished. Saying no to a third episode of The Office so I can read a little Scripture instead. Maybe you're saying no to the lackluster boyfriend who doesn't treat you with respect. Maybe you're saying no to the lie that God isn't interested in your mundane life.
Forming habits of saying yes and no takes the guesswork out of it for me. The threshold question is: does this bring me closer to God? When I know that answer, I know what I should do. I bet you have these answers inside, too.
The threshold question is: does this bring me closer to God? // @wholeparentingClick to tweet
Simplify your decision-making process today: does it bring me deeper in my relationship with God? That's the only question that really counts.
Nell O'Leary is a recovering lawyer turned blogger, speaker, and sewer of baby goods while tending to her husband and four kiddos in the great city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. She serves as Managing Editor for Blessed is She and can down a iced chai tea latte in no time flat. Find out more about her here. She is the editor of our Blessed Conversations Series.
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