Who Decides How You Will Act?


One day Sydney J. Harris of the Chicago Daily News walked with his friend to a newsstand to purchase a newspaper. The friend thanked the vendor politely, but the vendor remained coldly sullen.

As they walked away, Harris remarked, “A sullen fellow, isn’t he?

The friend said, “He is that way every day.” Harris asked, “Well, why then do you continue to be so very polite to him?”

The answer, “Why should I let him decide how I am going to act?”

Who decides your actions? Is it your circumstance or your faith? Why not stop a second and ask God for the answer?

Mid-week Prayer

Come, Lord Jesus! Open our hearts to the truth of Your Holy love this day. It was always Your calming witness that disarmed so many situations in the Bible. Can you give us the same strength this day? We ask this prayer in Your holy name. Amen.


This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week for finding a way to receive a gift.