Choices

My timeline has been filled with so much hate and reckless judgment lately, blaming one side or the other of the political spectrum. As I processed it all, I realized I wanted to just share a little beauty and love with the world today. We have choices every day regarding how we act, respond to others, and care for those we know and those we don't. I choose love. For me, it often comes a day late, as I react just as many others do. But as I reflect and realign with who God calls me to be, I know that my one choice is love. I hope, regardless of our faith, that we can all choose more of this. This is a free edition, available for the next 24 hours. 16x9 Photo captured in Oregon on July 6th, 2024. I chose this image as it is one I have loved and revisited often over the past year, and also, it was captured on my mom's birthday, four years after we lost her. My mom left behind a legacy of faith and love. Whenever I was angry, she gently reminded me that we are called to love one another. One of my favorite quotes comes from Francis Chan, a pastor and author who follows Jesus. In his book, Crazy Love, he says, “God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love.” I continually need to reframe my own reactions, and today I am making this choice, as I constantly hear my mom's voice reminding me of the same.