Little Choices Build Your Road

If we could look, as through a window, at how random and small decisions have altered and will continue to change the course of our lives, we'd probably perk up and pay attention to the little things more often. I know we can all think of a seemingly insignificant choice as simple as a ‘yes’ or ‘no’, or a right or left that changed the course of our lives. Or perhaps it was an offhand comment by another person or a small act of kindness that permanently altered something within us, influencing countless decisions.

Truthfully, where we are today is the result of one little decision at a time put together like pieces of a puzzle; a fluid puzzle, as the picture being formed can change with each new piece added.

One thing I remind my son (and myself!) often is that today is preparation for tomorrow. And, the choices made today are the foundation stones of tomorrow. 

This is true no matter our age. Every conversation, what I choose to do with my time, and the input I allow into my life from other people and sources (videos, music, church, books, social media, etc.) are all paving stones on the road that I walk.

This causes me to think not only about being guarded and intentional regarding decisions and influences in my life, but also about how I interact with others. Meaning, my decision to be patient, kind, or offer a word of encouragement could have a significant impact on someone. In the same way, my impatience, a careless word or glance can have a profound effect as well (and vice versa).

This makes the idea of forgiveness when wronged and humility when in the wrong incredibly powerful and important, as they are the filter or guard that keeps us from laying a paver in our road that may turn us in a direction we don't want to go.

The wonderful truth about recognizing how we have built the road we walk is that we can alter or reinforce the direction we are going, either by carefully choosing the choices we make or by how we respond to the choices of others. 

This is fantastic news! We are not stuck where we are. If you love where you're at, protect your road and keep adding good pavers. If you want to alter your course, you can! Choose well what pavers you lay today, especially the little and seemingly insignificant moments, as often these are the major players in the direction our life takes.