How many decisions have you made today? Probably a lot, if you're like me. The older I get the more I hate the busyness of life. I have to write every appointment and occasion on the calendar and it's getting so crowded I can't read what I wrote. More specifically, I hate having to make fifty important decisions before lunchtime. According to research, I'm probably asked to make many more than fifty.

Several sources report we make, on average, 35,000 decisions each day -
more than 260 decisions about food alone. Children, on the other hand, are said to make about 300 decisions a day. Please take me back to that simple time of life.

Every decision feels like it is life changing. It may affect only the next few minutes, or the next few years, but one decision may change everything. Life is stressful.

Researchers tell us, to improve decision making skills, set priorities.

These are a few of my priorities:


• People must come before projects. I must not be so involved in what I intend to accomplish that I forget who my time and my actions affect. Who gets run over or left behind in my current obsession?
  
  
• My family must come before my friends. Sometimes friends seem more interesting and fun than my family, but while I have family at home, they are my first priority.
  
  
• My husband must come before my children. That is a hard one. Children can become little idols, but as a wife, my husband comes first.
  
  
• My husband must come before my parents. Another difficult decision. The Bible says a man and a woman leave their parents to become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24) Decisions involving parents must be agreed upon by husband and wife.
  
  
• Concerning money, blessings, talents, and time: Tithing comes before extras. Give God the first fruits. Give him the best. (Genesis 14:18-20, Leviticus 27:30-34, Malachi 3:8-11)
  
  
• The truth of the Bible comes before my opinion and before the opinions of others. (Isaiah 55:8-9, Proverbs 3:5) The thoughts of God, the Creator, Omniscient and Omnipotent Father, are far higher than mine. I have no understanding compared to the one who created the heavens and the earth, and who numbered my days.
  
  
• Others come before me. Philippians 2:3 says to put aside selfish ambition and pride. Be humble and consider others more significant than myself.
  
  
• Jesus comes before all. As Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37 command, I will love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul and all my might.

The first question I'll ask myself when making any decision is, Will it honor God?