Deeds Determine Us...

"Our deeds determine us as much as we determine our deeds." - George Eliot, nineteenth-century novelist

Hmmm, interesting concept here. I think this is telling me that my actions can have a great impact upon who I am and who I become.

I can remember being a young, single mother with absolutely no idea of what I was supposed to be doing in that role. I made a lot of mistakes in my early adult years as I tried to raise two small children. I found myself making decisions based on self only. I didn't do a very good job of parenting my children during their most impressionable years. I'm not proud of the selfish choices I made at times, but I also recognize that I cannot change the past.

I've done a lot of soul-searching and I've worked on improving myself for many years now. My current focus is on matching my deeds with what my Higher Power would have me do. This works for me. I try to help others as much as possible. I'm not as selfish as I used to be, especially when it comes to my children. The best amends I can make to them is to treat them with respect and listen to them when they want to share details of their lives with me. I will never be able to give them back parts of their childhood that weren't such positive experiences. I can only do my best on a daily basis. That's my living amends to my children. It seems to be working out for all of us.

Dear God, please help me to always match my deeds to Your Will. Thank you God for loving me through all of my misdeeds as well as my good deeds. I am blessed and grateful to be alive today.