Today is the first time you've lived this day. It's a fresh start to make good choices. How will you make good use of it?

"I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle." Jeremiah 10:23-24 (NLT)

Recently, I had someone ask me whether or not I like working with editors.

It's a good question, really. The best way to see whether a writer has the reader's best interest at heart or simply a desire to marvel at their own creation, is to ask this question.

I've written 18 books. But, I was just as desperate for my editor's input on book number 18 as book number 1. Why? Because the editor saves me from myself. He sees things I miss. He strengthens me where I'm fragile with my words.

Last summer, I sat in front of book number 18 and realized it was the first time I had written this book. So, in that sense, I was a first-time writer working on assignment number 18. I was desperate for my editor's wisdom. So, yes, I love editors and greatly appreciate their wise use of the delete button.

As a matter of fact, I wish I had an editor and a delete button in daily life. Wouldn't it be great?

Just as I start to get all worked up about something, I would feel this tap, tap, tap on my shoulder. There he would be, my editor, holding out the delete button encouraging me to backspace my words and come at this situation with a truer reflection of who I am. He wouldn't yell or demand I hit the delete button. He would just remind me it's an option.

Sounds a little like the Holy Spirit, doesn't it? He doesn't yell or demand, but I would do well to recognize His tap, tap, tap on my heart. He reminds me of how good it is to claim a do-over and make use of the delete button in life, whether it's with my words or with my decisions.

This subtle tap, tap, tapping makes me think of Jeremiah's prayer in Jeremiah 10:23-24, "I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle."

I need to be corrected. And reminded that making new choices that follow His plan are my option.

And a very good option at that. An option a girl should take. Though I've been a Christian for many years, I can't ever coast on my past good choices. I must realize, it's the first time I've ever lived this day.

And today is so very rich with possibilities. So many opportunities to make choices that will take me down one of two paths. Either I will travel the path of becoming more like Christ ... or the one of becoming less like Christ.

We make our choices. And then our choices make us.

So, since it's the first time I've lived this day, I can choose to be the kind of wife and mom I desperately want to be.

Since it's the first time I've lived this day, I can choose to be the kind of friend I desperately want to be.

Since it's the first time I've lived this day, I can choose to ... well, you get the point.

It's at this juncture in my writing, where my editor would surely pop in with his wise use of the delete button and save you from my belaboring.

All that to say, today is not just another part of a long string of days past. Today is a first. A true, true first.

So, how will you make good use of this first day?

Dear Lord, thank You for revealing just how important our choices are. Give me the wisdom to make choices that will follow Your plan, not mine. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Proverbs 16:9, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." (NIV)

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What can you choose that will make good use of this first day ... with your spouse? With your children? With your friendships? With your co-workers?