Fall Leaves and Proverbs 3:5-6

Today was the pleasant sort of day when it's cool enough for a sweater, but warm enough to enjoy the air immensely.

Pretty finds from our walk.

Kara and I found a beautiful pinecone and vibrant leaves on our walk around the neighborhood. Nothing is quite so pretty as nature.

Kara opens up when she's walking with me. Often, we talk about seemingly insignificant things, but these times are the best part of the day.

I'm thankful for friends. I've had an especially difficult past few weeks, and the rest of this week isn't looking better in that department. One of my friends today said she was taking care of dinner. Thank you, Friend, for the chili! It means so much to me.

Another plus today was an insurance refund that came in the mail. Life has a way of kicking us in the pants regularly, but every now and then, we get a nice surprise.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 are favorite verses from as far back as I can remember. Mom quoted this many times.

As an adult, I find it to be true that the Lord indeed will direct our paths as we trust in him and acknowledge him.

Life is full of choices: good choices, bad choices, neutral choices. God gives us a wide, wide world to live in, and we're able to choose all sorts of things.

Eggs or oatmeal for breakfast? Red shirt or black today? Play tennis or read a book? These choices are neutral. I don't think God really cares what color shirt you wear. Just choose something.

We also have choices to engage in destructive behavior or build good habits. Go sin or live righteously. Lie or be honest. Be selfish or be generous. Be habitually angry or be habitually joyful. Cut corners or be thorough. Cheat or be faithful.

While the world is open to choices, what we can't choose are consequences. Proverbs is full of admonitions to make good choices in order to have good results, along with the warnings of the traps that ensnare those who make bad choices.

As I acknowledge the Lord in all I do, he helps me to make those good choices that lead to a better life.

No matter how complicated life can become, living the right way comes down to basic principles from the Bible:

• Love the Lord your God;

• Love your neighbor as yourself;

• Do unto others as you would have done to you;

• Trust in the Lord;

• Make good choices (my summary of the entire book of Proverbs).