“Without discipline, there’s no life at all.”

“We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers – but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change you’re the one who has got to change.”

“My greatest strength is common sense. I’m really a standard brand – like Campbell’s tomato soup or Baker’s chocolate.”

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get – only with what you are expecting to give – which is everything.”

“Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don’t do that by sitting around.”

“Life is hard. After all, it kills you.”

“It’s a rather rude gesture, but at least it’s clear what you mean.”

“It would be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wisecrack.”

“I think most of the people involved in any art always secretly wonder whether they are really there because they’re good or there because they’re lucky.”

“I never realized until lately that women were supposed to be the inferior sex.”

“I can remember walking as a child. It was not customary to say you were fatigued. It was customary to complete the goal of the expedition.”

“Enemies are so stimulating.”

Thoughtlessness seems so pervasive in our world.  The scenarios play themselves out in the news everyday.  How many times have we said to ourselves after reading such accounts, “If they had only taken a moment to think…”

But how often do we look at ourselves and say that?  How many times do we act thoughtlessly and unwisely?  How many times do we squander opportunities to do good?

Ephesians 5 verses 15 through 17 says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

I can think of times in my own life when I have chosen to participate in gossip, when in hindsight I probably could have stopped it altogether.  I can think of instances when I have had the means to help someone in need and thoughtlessly have chosen not to.  I can think of a lot of times, recently even, where, instead of listening the what God would have me to do, I’ve foolishly done what I want to do, and rightfully suffered the consequences of doing those things.

Why do I act this way?  My standards should be higher!  I should be living a thoughtful, Godly life.

I am a fallen, broken human being, and as much as I would like to be, I’m never going to be perfect on my own merit.

Father God, thank you for Your grace.  Thank you for the unending forgiveness when I fall short of the standards You have asked me to live up to.  Help me to be thoughtful, to do good, and to listen to what you would want me to do.