I've been wanting to share a prayer that we prayed at orientation with all of you. I've been coming back to it again and again in my journal. It's based on the fruits of the Spirit and I'm not sure quite where it came from, but I really love it:

I choose love. . . No occasion justifies hatred, no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. This year I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy . . . I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. . . the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace. . . I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience. . . I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite her to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness. . . I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness. . . I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness. . . This year I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My family will not question my love and they will never fear that I will not come home.

I choose gentleness. . . Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self control. . . I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. To these we commit our year. If we succeed, we will give thanks. If we fail, we will seek grace. And then, when the year is done, we will place our heads on our pillows and rest.

Hugs to you all : )