Comment from Happy Geek
Time: November 21, 2008, 11:37 am

I quite honstly believe that the two most permanent decisions you can make are kids and marriage because you cannot change your mind. Most other things in life are relatively reversible.

Comment from Tam
Time: November 21, 2008, 11:39 am

I think whom you marry. If you marry wrong, the effects are rippling.

Comment from Dana
Time: November 21, 2008, 11:39 am

I think it is your attitude about life in general. All else hinges on that. Who you attract into your life, how you handle the good times and the bad times, the kind of mom/dad you are. Everything is etched by your overall “life theme”. So you should pick a good one. And I am not talking about Jesus. I have met many unhappy negative Christians who seem pretty miserable.

Oh and how to wrap your Christmas gifts… another VERY important decision in life!

Comment from Michelle
Time: November 21, 2008, 11:40 am

I have no idea. I am with you thinking it would be marriage though.
Let me know when you find out!

Comment from mandy
Time: November 21, 2008, 11:41 am

For me? It was whom I married. If he doesn’t believe in tithing…you won’t. If he doesn’t support your dreams…you have none. If he doesn’t lift you up in prayer…who will? If he doesn’t love you even when you’re rotten…you’ll end up looking for it somewhere else.

Big decision…getting married. Gets more complicated when you add kids to the mix too. Moms get pretty roughed up with the day in day out…Dad is the only one who can bring me out of that sweat pant wearing, spit up covered person I’ve become.

So, I say marriage…def. marriage.

Comment from Shara
Time: November 21, 2008, 11:41 am

I do think it’s who you marry, because it affects the rest of your life. (Whether you stay married or not.) It’s one of the biggest decisions you will ever make.

Sorry. No pressure. =)

Comment from Marla Taviano
Time: November 21, 2008, 11:48 am

Marriage for sure. FOR SURE. Take your time, choose wisely, pray TONS, make sure you feel PEACE before you walk down that aisle.

The personalized part of your thank-you is heading your way today. And so am I! (well, Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville)

Hugs!

Comment from Margaret @ love God, not money
Time: November 21, 2008, 11:50 am

I don’t really think that it’s any of those. It may be more abstract, but I think the most important decision you make is one you make every day – Am I going to trust Jesus?

If I’m seeking to trust Jesus more and more every day, then when the time comes to say “yes” to being married, it won’t really be a decision at all. It will just be what is happening. And I won’t ever have to worry about whether I made the wrong decision, because if we believe God is sovereign and in control of our lives, then we don’t have to fret about past choices. We know that He causes all things to work together for His glory and our good.

Comment from amykay
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:04 pm

i hate to jump on the bandwagon… and i don’t think i can speak for everyone. but for me, i definitely think the next most important decision was my marriage– both who and when. i wouldn’t have been able to make that decision without God’s leading, and the big decisions i have made since then have all been due to God’s leading and Brian’s encouragement. i don’t know if i would have been able to be where i am in my career without my husband supporting me and telling me i could do it and helping me discern what God was calling us to. when we have kids, i won’t be able to do that alone… literally and figuratively. God made my husband and i very, very different– in important ways that balance us out. i think my life has taken a very, very positive, God-honoring turn because of the way that my marriage shapes me. that isn’t to say that i wouldn’t be here if i wasn’t married, but in terms of what decision has shaped me the most, that’s it. and one of my best friends has decided to NOT be married. he’s in his mid forties, and i think that decision has shaped his life the most, also in a good way. so i’ve seen the other side, too. anyway, that’s my two cents!

Comment from Brittany
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:04 pm

I am not older than you but I agree with other posters. Your attitude and trusting Jesus. I am married and have kids and my life is still a wreck sometimes. I get lonely. I’m not always happy. But if I have my attitude right, then circumstances are just circumstances. And if I’m fully trusting, then my attitude will be right.

Comment from Darla
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:09 pm

I agree with the others that say Marriage. In marriage, you’re committing to ONE PERSON for the remainder of your life. And that’s a long time! LOTS and LOTS of prayer needs to go into that decision!!!

Comment from Jawan
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:16 pm

To keep it spiritual (and most important), I think the next big decision is making a life change to live for the glory of God in all that you do. If we believe that God is sovereign of all things in our life, then decisions for marriage, children, new car, which church to join, what to wear, hard circumstances, will always be centered on Christ due to a decision to live for him.

Of course, I always struggle choosing between a Twix and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. It’s hard to know God’s will in the middle of a convenience store – even though I don’t think he cares which fattening candy I choose. It’s my gluttony (sin) that I should be thinking about!

Comment from Stacy
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:24 pm

Honestly the next most important decision you can make is to submit yourself to Christ daily. To make the decision to live a sold out life for Him. If you are daily submitting yourself to Christ and desiring to live the life that He wants you to live, the rest will come.

Once I realized that it was all HIS and I needed HIM to live through me it all fell together. I made horrible decisions and made mistakes that I’m deeply regret, but submitting my life to him has been the best thing.

Comment from Laura
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:25 pm

I think the most important decision you make in your life is the ongoing one of deciding what your priorities are, which influences all the other decisions. Deciding to accept Christ into your heart is the setting of your ultimate priority, I guess. The next most important one is deciding your next priority, within the confines of the first. So, if you decide to prioritize marriage and family, then deciding who to marry is probably the next most important decision. But if, for example, you felt really called to some vocation like teaching underserved children, preventing AIDS in Africa, etc., you might choose to forego marriage or put it off until a later time in life, even if it meant not being able to put as much energy into that decision or have the same options, because your work was your next highest priority. I guess what I’m saying is, it might not be the same for everyone.

Comment from debbie d.
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:25 pm

I got nothin’…sorry…

Comment from Becca
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:40 pm

I agree with Margaret – I think its the daily decision to not just follow Jesus but to trust Him.

But on a more concrete basis, I would say who you marry is the most important decision because he becomes a part of who you are, and that affects you as a mother, friend, etc . . .

Comment from Melissa
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:44 pm

Marriage. Definitely. That doesn’t mean everyone should get married. But if you do get married, WHO you marry is PIVITOL. It trumps the kid decision, because it isn’t just you who decides that, it’s you and Husband (and God of course). You are going to be submitting to this man, so he determines the course of your life.
If God has chosen singleness for you, then it would probably be your career. You’ll need something to support yourself with, and something that you truly enjoy.

Comment from Liz
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:57 pm

I think it’s even more elementary than marriage, career, kids. It’s the daily choice to abide in Christ, be in His Word, and desiring His will over your own. That way when it comes time to make all those other decisions, you will have discernment about what God’s will is.

Comment from Liz
Time: November 21, 2008, 12:59 pm

Chiming in again… I didn’t want to read anyone else’s comments before I wrote my own. Now that I’ve gone back and read them, I am so encouraged that this is the answer most everyone is giving.

Comment from Katie
Time: November 21, 2008, 1:13 pm

I am, in fact, not older than you. And I am, in fact, not wiser than you, but I am, in fact, a regular reader of your bloggie. I know, I dont’ usually comment, but I want to give my humble opinion here.

I, too, am a young woman who has the thought of marriage constantly nagging at my mind. However, I have come to learn that the times when I enjoy my life the most, are the times when I “forget” about being married, and focus on what I am doing in THIS season of my life. Being single has MANY perks (we just tend to forget them, about 90% of the time..hehe). There are so many things we can do while we are single that we will not be able to if we were married, or it would be much more difficult. Once we are married, the goal is to NEVER BE SINGLE AGAIN. So why not enjoy the time, energy, and resources we have to do whatever God calls us to do, no matter how crazy it may seem to anyone else.

Thanks for the reminder! I love you!

Comment from Sarah @ Life in the Parsonage
Time: November 21, 2008, 1:15 pm

Like you said, accepting Christ, and daily living for Him aside…

I have to think it’s who you marry. Because He’s your partner, and companion and you’re gonna walk with him through lots of good and plenty of hard stuff too…and when kiddos come along…that marriage relationship makes or breaks that family. I could go on and on…

Comment from Sammy
Time: November 21, 2008, 1:19 pm

Well, as the token Jewish reader around here I obviously don’t know a whole lot about this kind of Christianity. But shouldn’t treating others as we wish to be treated be pretty high up on the list??

Pingback from Second Most Important Decision « On Becoming New
Time: November 21, 2008, 1:23 pm

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Comment from New Girl
Time: November 21, 2008, 1:24 pm

I, like Sarah, could go on and on, so I decided to go “on and on” on my own blog instead of hogging yours. Please feel free to visit. But at the very end of my blog, AB, is a special message to you which says…

“Yes, AB, if God has called you to be married, then picking a spouse, is the second most important decision that you will face. But ALWAYS remember that the greatest, most important decision is your on-going decision to follow God in ALL that you do. If you are succeeding in that, then you will succeed in all other decisions in your life!”

Comment from Sarah
Time: November 21, 2008, 1:37 pm

tough question. for someone like me, i accepted the love of Christ into my heart a very long time ago. I was a kid. So, I’m a kid and the number one most important thing is done with, though a project to always work on. Now what? Well, up until I met my husband, it was my loyalty to my family and finishing school (though my ultimate goal is to be a mother. period). But meeting and marrying my hubs was the most incredible day of my life. No doubt about it.

Comment from abby
Time: November 21, 2008, 1:42 pm

I’m going to have to agree with Becca and Margaret, I think the daily living for Christ is most important, and that will make the other things fall in place.

I’m 24 too, and I just got married a few months ago. I love being married, and believe that marrying my husband was one of the best and most important decisions of my life, but the whole lifelong commitment is scary, and some days you fight and its not the happily-ever-after you dream off, and in those times you have to rely on trusting in the Lord and how he has guided your life as you submit to him.

So, with that being said, marriage is great, and like everyone told me, marriage will be everything you expected and nothing you expected at all! And it’s because of the “nothing you expected at all” that I think trusting God daily is the 2nd most important decision!

Comment from mary
Time: November 21, 2008, 1:55 pm

Seems like it is whatever the next set of doors is that God places before you; whether it’s career, marriage, or kids. But, when it DOES come up, marriage would be the next more important, it’s PERMANENT.

Comment from Kelley
Time: November 21, 2008, 2:02 pm

Here is this 30 something’s answer to your question:

I don’t question. God is in the driver’s seat and I’m along for the ride.

Comment from trs
Time: November 21, 2008, 2:08 pm

Hmmm. most of these answers assume that everyone gets married…. and that their husband doesn’t die young or anything goes wrong.

As a woman who thought I would have been married 10 years ago – I can’t say that marriage is the next important decision. Because that would mean that my life has been in limbo ever since I was 24.

Yes, who you marry is VERY important to your quality of life from that point forward – but until you get to that point – I guess it’s the decision to trust God every day. It’s not easy – just as it might not be easy to trust your spouse’s plan for you EVERY DAY.

Until you find an earthly husband, you are the bride of Christ. YOu have to act for Him as you would for your spouse.
Easier said than done, I admit.

Comment from Ashley Flores
Time: November 21, 2008, 2:14 pm

The most important thing is that you are following the plan that God has for you. If that involves marriage, great! If it doesn’t then you do whatever it is and do it to the best of your ability to bring glory to God.

Comment from Amber
Time: November 21, 2008, 2:20 pm

I do agree that marriage is a huge decision, I want to add something to that. Amy Beth, I believe God has a wonderful man all picked out for you. But, I don’t think He is going to bring him into your life until you come to a place where you realize that EVEN if Mr. Wonderful never arrived, you’d be okay. Because Jesus is enough. Until He’s enough, He’s going to keep you in a place of questions and confusion and brokenness, because He is a jealous lover who craves your heart more than anything. You obviously love Him with all you are, but perhaps the decision (that is a daily, hourly, or well… let’s be honest… second by second!!!) that is most important is to choose to say, “Jesus, You are enough. Even if things never change from where I am today. You are enough.”

And one more thing, having a new baby in your life will make you ask yourself a lot of important questions. I about landed in the psychiatric ward when my first was born. Something about that little life puts a whole new spin on things. I kept thinking “What on earth am I here for?”

Comment from Bethany
Time: November 21, 2008, 2:45 pm

Of those you listed… I would have to say marriage is the most important.

However, I agree with a handful of other people too. The second most important decision is trusting God with all the rest of your life’s choices.

The Christian walk isn’t one decision. After you come to faith you have to make a deliberate and willful choice to give your whole life over to Him – who you date, who you marry, if you have kids, how many kids, what to study in school, what field to go into…

As a Christian, none of those matter until you choose to walk in obedience to God’s leading, because trust me, if you haven’t chosen obedience first EVERYTHING you do will end up one stinking pile of ick.

Comment from Rebecca
Time: November 21, 2008, 3:21 pm

Everyone’s points are very wise…. & being a married person I know it does affect your life & choices & decisions in ways you’d never understand unless you were married…. but you have to remember – God calls some people to NOT marry – to use them in other ways – just as God calls some not to have children…. so its hard to say that’s the next thing…..

I think EVERY decision you make after accepting GOD affects who you are in your life….

Comment from Christine
Time: November 21, 2008, 3:25 pm

As many people have said in one way or another, the decision to follow Christ is THE decision and everything else follows from it. Yes, who you marry and whether or not to have children are important. But when you commit your life to Christ, the rest of the life’s details should come as a result of that choice. I think that may be the best litmus test for whatever decision it is you’re wrestling with at any given moment. We are taught so often that everything we do in life is to be a response to what Christ did for us on the cross. We are to tithe as a show that we trust God with resources that come from Him in the first place, we are to spread the Good News, care for the less fortunate and stand up for the defenseless, all as a response to the love, care and defense we find in the cross. If we do those things as a means to accomplish something else, namely salvation, we’ve completely lost the point. I think the same can be said for the rest of the decisions we make in life.

It would appear to me that you’re well on your way to understanding that kind of decision making. The work you do is a perfect example of it. Just the other day you mused in a post whether you’d be happier as a classroom teacher than doing what you do. And yet you know that you’re doing what God has called to do for this season of your life. As a response to your commitment to Christ you work in a ministry doing something that some people give you grief over. God has called you several things actually, and from this end of the interweb it appears that you’re sensitive to His call. You minister to young girls with Starlite, you minister to one special little girl in particular, you took in a dear friend and her unborn baby when they had no where to go. God put choices in your life and you respond to them in ways that I can only imagine gives Him tremendous delight. They may seem like obvious choices to you, but they are choices. And I would hazard to guess that when it’s time to make a decision about who to marry and when or whether to have children, those decisions will seem rather obvious too.

My husband was a nominal Christian when we met. I was deeply committed. We met in our late 20s and we were both ready to find “the one”. I told him early on though that I wouldn’t marry someone who wasn’t committed to Christ, that was too important to me. Because I was too important to him, that was an easy decision for him and as of yesterday, we’ve been happily married 9 years now. A lot of people told me that the one place where one shouldn’t evangelize was in my choice for a husband – if he wasn’t already a Christian I shouldn’t expect him to become one, it would just lead to heartache and disappointment. And while I don’t disagree with that in principle, that’s just not how it worked for us. We are completely convinced that it is only because God put us together that our relationship works. We both acknowledge that. But it never would’ve worked if we’d met each other any earlier than we actually did. We were not at all what each of us expected in a spouse in our early, or even our mid-20s. We needed to get through a couple of seasons of our lives to recognize each other when we finally found each other. Once we got to that point, it was very obvious. I can’t help but think it will be the same for you.

Sorry for the book! Blessings!

Comment from Lisa @ put-it-on-the-list
Time: November 21, 2008, 3:59 pm

You’ve gotten some very good answers, as I’ve skimmed through them. The rest of your life will flow out of your daily, hourly walk with Christ, your connection with Him. Two books I’ve read on this recently are John Burke’s Soul Revolution and Mark Batterson’s Wild Goose Chase; I recommend both.

I have been married for 19 years, but my best friend is a single woman in her 30s, so I understand both sides very well. A good marriage is a tremendous blessing from God, but so is the freedom to love God and follow him on your own terms. Don’t underestimate the meaning of this season of your life on your growth and maturity. You’re making some great choices, as we’ve all seen. I know that you, like me, want to hear your Father say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” And I think you’re well on your way.

Keep on like you’ve been doing. Find your joy in Jesus. Keep growing in the fruits of the Spirit. What He has for you will happen.

Comment from Linda
Time: November 21, 2008, 4:06 pm

I too agree with many of the above. I especially like what Amber had to say…….very well said. The time in your life right now is what EVERY female experiences as she seeks to follow Christ…….asking what next for me Lord. I feel that the lost you have from loosing your boyfriend is causing these questions to linger on your mind. I married at 20 while still in college. I graduated, and the next thing on MY list was to have children. It wasn’t God’s plan at the time, but mine. I went through 5 years of infertility, surgery, tears, pain and more tears, as I watched all our married friends have babies, and then even start having their second child. After 5 years of working and still no children I finally laid it at Jesus feet and told him I didn’t know why I couldn’t have children, but HE DID. It was obvious children wasn’t on his agenda for me up to that point in my life. I told him how it hurt to not be able to have our own children, but we would follow his plan even if that meant adoption. After 9 months of looking into adoption agencies etc, I had the surprise of my life…..I was 6 weeks pregnant. After that 4 years later I delievered twins. And the shock of my life was 10 years later when my youngest made my quiver full and over flowing.
Why did I say all that AB? Give your heart concerns to Jesus and HE WILL give you the desires of your heart in HIS TIMING. AB……….I promise you…….after all you have done and are still doing for Roomie and baby, God will provide your hearts desire. God has the most awesome plan for your life and only HE can deliver.
Easier said than done, but please be patient and you will one day be able to look back and see what an AWESOME GOD HE IS!

Comment from Brenda on the S OR Coast
Time: November 21, 2008, 4:15 pm

I think the two most frequent responses from your readers tie together. You have to BE the right person in order to MARRY the right person. If you are trusting God completely and surrender your life to Him, you will have discernment in choosing His mate for you. AND the kind of man you want to marry will want to marry a girl like you!

Enjoy your single years. You’ll only be single until you get married, then, Lord willing, you’ll be married the rest of your life! =)

Comment from Bethany
Time: November 21, 2008, 4:48 pm

One of my favorite quotes is:

A girl should be so close to God that a guy has to seek Him to find her.

Comment from Kelley
Time: November 21, 2008, 4:56 pm

I think some have hit on this from the other comments, but after you’ve accepted Jesus, the next most important decision is what are you going to do with Him?

Do you just take Jesus out on Sundays and holidays? Or do you spend every day with Him begging Him to make you more like Him? From Him all things flow – Because if you are truly walking with Jesus, He will lead you in all other decisions – and give you peace about those decisions. Married or single or with or w/out kids – That’s not His goal – His goal is to make you more like Him.

Comment from Kim
Time: November 21, 2008, 5:09 pm

I absolutely think that who you marry is a very important decision. I beleive marriage is forever and when you marry the man/woman God has chosen for you then it can be a fantastic union
Not easy but totally fun!
My hubby and I have been married almost 10 yrs and we act like newlyweds – we have the best time together and know that we are doing life together
It makes everything so much more tolerable and fun!
God bless
Kim

Comment from Krista
Time: November 21, 2008, 5:36 pm

That’s a tough one. And honestly, no, I don’t think the next most important thing is who you marry. I mean, yes, it’s way important (as in, don’t marry a “wrong” one, but I don’t believe there is just “one” right one. I could have married another guy if my life had been different and we hadn’t gone off to opposite sides of the world. It still would have been a right one, but it just didn’t happen) but I think there is something else that’s more important. That is, making sure YOU know what is important to you in life and why. Maybe even more, it’s knowing that you are complete the way you are. You CANNOT go through life thinking that a guy, or kids, or a career will be the answer. You WILL be disappointed. I know. I’m living that right now.
I haven’t read any of the other responses yet, but I’m trying to put into words what I’m feeling…
I think we spend too much time waiting for the “next thing”. I was so excited to graduate from college and then I found myself going “now what?” so I went back to college. Then I met my husband, but if I hadn’t I would have been right back at the “now what?” when I graduated. I did have some plans to go to Africa (on hold), but I think the thing we’re missing is the life we’re living right now. Do you regret the way you’re living right now? I don’t think so! So enjoy it!
It’s not wrong to want kids and marriage and/or a different career. But unless you’re feeling like what you’re doing now is just wrong then I’d say this is where God has you. Make the most of it because of course you have no way of knowing what tomorrow will bring.
Me, I’m working on being more intentional at spending time with my son. Getting down and playing with him rather than just brushing him off since I want to be online. Turning off my computer for an hour or two. He is way more important. I will miss this when he’s old enough to be in school.
Make your plans for the future, but be flexible! God has a way of changing things when you least expect it! (as in, I met and married my husband in 13 months and the first 4 months we were barely friends let alone dating!)
Sorry for the sermonette, I’m talking to myself here too! Hope it helps! You have to be happy with the life you have sometimes before God can add something else.

Comment from Chatty Kelly
Time: November 21, 2008, 5:43 pm

I think after accepting Christ, the most important thing is to find YOUR WORTH in the fact that you are a child of God. If your worth is there, then it doesn’t matter (per se) who or if you marry or kids or your job or anything else, because you have found your worth as child of God. So if you accidentally marry a bum or if your perfect man leaves you, well, you are still a child of God. If you lose your job, still a child of God. If your child who you adore and love being the mom of dies, you are still a child of God. If you put your worth in anything else, it can go away, but child of God is forever. Everything else is just icing.

It’s very hard to live that way. But if you put your eggs in any basket other than God’s, you get broken eggs. A wonderful husband can be great, but he’s not God and he’s no savior. Don’t put your trust in Walt Disney, who said “Someday my prince will come.” Put your trust in God who said “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save you.” Psalm 146:3
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. (Psalm 146:5)

Comment from Chatty Kelly
Time: November 21, 2008, 5:44 pm

And I don’t know if I’m wiser, but I am definitely older. LOL!

Comment from Kristy
Time: November 21, 2008, 9:12 pm

I am going to agree that it is your spouse. You will spend the rest of your life with that person. It needs to be someone that you respect, like, enjoy being with, that is supportive and that you can support. He needs to put your needs first and you likewise for him. He needs to be someone who you trust completely. It is also important to remember that no matter who you choose, he is NOT perfect. He will sometimes fail but so will you. He also needs to share your faith and be able to lead your family in that faith. Does he study his bible on his own and share with you what he has learned. Does he pray with you and for you. Is he able to lead by example? These are all things that you need to think about when you are choosing your mate. If he isn’t doing them when your dating, he won’t do them when your married. Passion is great. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is a great component of marriage. But, if all you have is passion you will end up feeling alone. You will need a solid foundation of friendship, trust, respect, etc. I think if you have all of those things the passion part just comes naturally.

Comment from Kelli
Time: November 22, 2008, 2:49 am

I am going to have to agree with marriage. My husband is the person that I will spend everyday of the rest of my earthly days with. Our marriage is the beginning of what shapes our future family. Choosing your husband is something that is so crucial and unfortunately at times in our society is taken too lightly. It is a HUGE important decision that matters more than the dream wedding. No point if you don’t marry the guy God intended for you!

Comment from Cindy
Time: November 22, 2008, 10:31 am

You got a lot of feedback on this one! I didn’t read them all, but I see a lot voting for marriage.

There were so many decisions that brought me where I am that it is hard to say one was most important… if I hadn’t gone to the college I went to, I wouldn’t have met the man I married. I don’t know if I felt like it was a “decision” about marrying Scott… it wasn’t as if I had to choose between several people. I knew the ones I wouldn’t marry; knew I would marry him. But- and Scott would agree with me here- if I hadn’t married him, I would have married another wonderful man. I’m not a subscriber to the “there is my soul mate out there for me and I have to find HIM.” I would have a different marriage, with different struggles and different blessings.

So, all that poorly worded stuff to say I’m going to go more along the lines of the next most important is more about you and God- will you trust Him; will you choose to live with joy in any circumstance simply because you have Him, etc.

You’ll have to let us know what your thoughts were after reading all your comments!

Comment from Stacie@HobbitDoor
Time: November 22, 2008, 7:04 pm

I (and my husband agrees) think it’s not so much a question but a choice. What are you going to do with the fact that you’ve accepted Christ? If you live your life totally committed to Him, it will influence who you marry, what your career ends up being (and the fact that your work place will be your mission field and your paycheck there to fund HIS work not your life), if you have kids, how you raise them, etc. I think your relationship with God–choosing to have one and to be actively working out your salvation on a daily basis is the most important decision to make. All the others you make will flow out of and be influenced by that one. I think it is easy to get stuck on task questions–who to marry, what to do etc that we forget to work on who we are–character stuff that is harder to quantify. I’ll be praying as you wrestle through your questions.

Comment from Andrea Rosenmeier
Time: November 23, 2008, 12:20 am

Um, for the record, I just turned 25, thank you! But I’ll agree with most everyone else. I got married when I was 19 and it is amazing how much he affects my every decision, even ones I never thought he would. It’s a biggie.

Comment from Kelly @ Love Well
Time: November 23, 2008, 12:20 am

You’ve got some GREAT answers here, Amy Beth.

I’m going to go with the majority and say none of those questions are as important as this one: Are you going to believe God? (If you haven’t done that Beth Moore study yet, go directly to the store and get the book. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.)

We, as humans, often try our best to make wise choices in a mate, about our career, about when we’re going to have children. And I would say, 86% of the time (approximately), life does NOT turn out the way we planned. The mate we thought was a committed Christian? Runs off with another woman. The career we thought was fulfilling? Hits a dead-end wall. The children we just knew were perfect? Never come due to infertility.

There is SO MUCH out of our control. The biggest decision we can make daily is: Do I believe God IN THE MIDST of where I am right now?

Comment from Diane
Time: December 1, 2008, 9:18 pm

You are right on # 1.
# 2 is similar: How will I follow Him today?
Everything else follows.
Simple, but oh.so.true.