Decisions, decisions.

Sometimes, when my struggling, overworked brain needs a rest, I sit and ponder my past. During one such introspective moment, I came to a rather startling conclusion. Everything that I am, everything that I do is the result of decisions--not the big, sweeping kind, but small, seemingly insignificant ones.

I asked my wife to marry me, not because I suddenly decided it was time to be married but because, for years, I'd been piecing together an image of what married life would be like. Dorinda simply fit the picture perfectly. After 24 years, she still does.

This editing job came as the result of writing many, many articles and scripts, and accepting the menial, low-paying assignments that many writers scoff at as they dream of penning the great American novel.

I'm a Christian because I learned, little by little, the beauty of living a life under the influence of a loving God.

Even the level of health I enjoy is the result of making countless small, quick decisions: wheat instead of white, fruit instead of candy, frozen instead of canned, whole instead of processed, soy instead of dairy, water instead of cola, walk instead of sit, medium instead of large, sleep instead of Leno. The list goes on and on--little decisions made weekly, daily, moment by moment.

Saying to yourself, "This year I'm going to regain control of my health" or "I'm going to lose weight" or "I'm going to know God better" might prove a bit overwhelming. Instead, declare, "This year I'm going to walk instead of watch that silly sitcom, or I'm going to cut my portion sizes at supper," or "I'm going to attend that small-group Bible study."

It won't take you very long to realize that in health, marriage, and even salvation, it's the little decisions that make all the difference. Who knows? You might even discover that, when it comes time to make one of those big, sweeping choices we all face from time to time, the decision has already been made.

Happy New Year!