October will greet us tomorrow. Confirming that fall is here. Are you seeing the changes in nature where you live? Leaves started falling from the oak trees as if on cue here in Central Texas. A storm rolled in to start the week, and we are covered in leaves.
These signs signal the holidays are ready to be prepared for. May this post help with the extra details this time of year brings!
35,000 decisions in one day. Could you do it? Apparently, we all do.
Apple ran an ad, four years ago, claiming we make a whopping 35,000 decisions every day. What an eye-popping and headache-inducing thought.
Picture the San Francisco Giants, Oracle Park. (Chosen because that is my home state. Random fact, the park was built the year my husband I were married. Look up your favorite hometown stadium to compare! Share what you find in the comments. I would love to know.)
The Oracle can seat 40,800 people.
To quantify the number of decisions we make, it is almost as many people as Oracle Park holds! 35,000 vs 40,800
Many days, we go about our routine and do okay. Oblivious to the fact that tick-tock, tick-tock, decision after decision is happening. This is likely why habits are so important. One less thing to ponder. Simply do what we have already decided to do and have been doing over a period of time.
Like making a week’s worth of lunches on Sunday night. No decisions are needed. Fewer things to consider when we know what we are having for lunch and where to grab it.
There are stages in life that are more taxing for decision-making.
We experience added responsibilities to decisions made while raising young children.
When a family member is ill or dying stress is high. At these times, choices at the grocery store can feel overwhelming.
If we or someone we live with is depressed, making decisions are more difficult.
What about a move? Forget about doing it perfectly. Mistakes and last-minute decisions will have to be discussed and decided upon.
I hope I have not overwhelmed you at this point! Because here comes the good news!
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8
God is always there to guide and help us with every situation. The bible says that we hear his voice. When we acknowledge him we can hear his whispered and calm response. I know I need reminding of who I am with him.
God helps us, directs us, and counsels us. When we allow him to. In that decision of receiving his help, it is easy to see how big he is and small we are.
We can trust him with the outcome and our imperfections.
I have made a lot of bad decisions. But I have also made a lot of ‘God’ decisions. AKA, decisions with God’s direction and counsel. Can you relate?
Things turn out better when I remember he is with me, every time. His love draws us to him and keeps us wanting to hang out with him.
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Lord,
I am sorry when I stumble along trying to make sense of all my obligations. I wander off, forgetting how much I need your wisdom. Independence from you steals my peace. I am so grateful I can trust you. Help me to trust you more. Set in place reminders for me to turn to you in the 35,000 decisions I will face today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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NEXT WEEK: I am excited to bring us back to our series called, How to Adjust the View. This is where, once a month, we will chat about and seek ways to God’s peace and pray for the people we live amongst. Even strangers! Everyone in our city can be prayed for, even if we don’t know them.
Invite someone to join you next week as you read the post, How to Adjust the View. Is there someone who you think would love to dig in and pray with you with one heart over your city? I bet there is. Isn’t there is a bible verse about this? When we pray with another person something special happens.
More about that next week! See y’all soon!
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
I don’t have a favorite hometown stadium to share. And I don’t like making serious decisions, especially when I don’t have a clue what God thinks about the matter. When this happens, I’ve learned to do nothing. Like the saying goes (and is so true), when in doubt, DON’T.
So smart Dianne. It took me too long to realize, if a decision feels like I am handling a hot potato, I should not be handling. Thanks for sharing your insight!
35K decisions everyday?! That’s a lot! I appreciate how you compared it to the number of seats in your favorite stadium. And how thankful I am to have God walking with me & especially comforting to know His word along with the renewing of my mind can take the load off of decision making so that I can be peaceful & be my best for Him. Thank you Michele.
Thanks for stopping by! I love your reminder about the renewal of our minds. He is so good to us! Here’s to another 35,000 decisions with God today. :•)