Devotion: Small Choices Matter

Small choices matter. 
They help us. 
And they can hurt us. 

I remind myself of this a lot. 

Because in my lifetime, I’ve been down a lot of slippery slopes I never even realized I had started sliding down until I was near the bottom. 

The addict doesn’t wake up one morning with the goal of being an addict. It’s one drink. One hit. One line. Just one. And then – just one more and just one more. Without even meaning too, they are in a situation they never intended, or imagined, wondering how to get out from under the weight of the substance they now can’t imagine living without. 

The person caught in the middle of an affair doesn’t wake up one morning with the goal of being an adulterer. It’s one conversation. One text. One meet-up. One hook-up. It’s just one talk. Just one kiss. And then- just one more and just one more. Without even meaning too, they are in a situation they never intended, or imagined, wondering how to get out from under the weight of the relationship, and wondering if they can ever rebuild their marriage again. 

The person struggling with an eating disorder doesn’t wake up one morning with the goal of being trapped in a cycle of starvation, or binging and purging. It’s skipping just one meal. And then another. It’s counting calories and being consumed with exercise. It’s overeating and then the purge. And then – just one more and just one more. Without even meaning too, they are in a situation they never intended, or imagined, wondering how to get out from under the weight of their body shame, and wondering if they will ever have a normal relationship with food again. 

The person drowning in debt doesn’t wake up with the goal of being financially in over their head. It’s spending a little here. And spending a little more there. And putting it on this card and that card. It’s justifying one more trip to Target and one more Amazon spree. And then – just one more and just one more. Without even meaning too, they are in a situation they never intended, or imagined, wondering how to get out from the mountain of debt they now feel trapped under. 

The person struggling with pornography. 
The person who has told so many lies they can’t make sense of the truth anymore. 
The person who steals. 
And on and on and on it goes. 

So many of us will travel roads we never intend to travel. We will go down paths we always thought we would avoid. It’s subtle. It’s sneaky. It’s not an endgame. It’s not a goal. It’s not a wish or a desire for our lives. 

On the contrary. 
It’s often the things that at one time we said with bold confidence, “I would never!” 

And this is why we need grace. 
This is why we need compassion. And understanding. And mercy. This is why we need to remember that we have not walked a mile in another’s shoes, and it is not our place to judge.

Small choices matter. 
They help us. 
And they can hurt us. 

But the good news is, we are never too far gone. 
We can always course correct. 
No matter how far we’ve fallen. 
We are never so deep in the pit that there isn’t a way out. 

God is always there. 
Arms forever open. 
Waiting. 
Loving. 
Full of mercy. 
Full of grace. 
Full of kindness. 

He is the Father and we are the prodigal children and when we decide to come home again, we will always be welcome with a feast. 

Always. 

No matter what slopes we have slid down. 
And no matter how far we’ve gone.

• If this speaks to you and you are currently struggling with something you need help with, I hope you know there are resources available, such as support groups, counseling services and addiction recovery, to begin your journey to healing. I hope you find at least one person to share your truth with. Friend, you are never too far gone. There is nothing to be ashamed of. And there is hope for you.

Scripture for reflection

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

We are hard pressed on every side, yet we are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:19

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7