Annie’s Journal
Written by Annie Warner Donnelly
Dean Del Sesto wrote a book called, “Shift Your Thinking – 200 Ways to Improve Your Life. On page 136 he wrote about choice.
“Choice is the most powerful of all human forces. It’s more powerful than ability, talent and giftedness; in fact, choice drives ability, talent and giftedness. If our choice is the wrong one or a complete blunder, we can choose to learn, to refocus, and to try again … The most destructive choice of all … is knowing there are decisions to be made, but choosing to sit on the sidelines of life, undecided, lifeless and eventually hopeless. It’s the choice of not choosing that brings life to a halt, shuts down our potential, and creates the downward spiral of emotions that eventually lead to resignation and despair.”
Choice is one of the most powerful gifts God has given to us! In return, He hopes we will choose Him as the One to follow. He hopes we will choose to follow the yearnings He has placed in our hearts.
We just celebrated Remembrance Day which originated from the Armistice signed on November 11, 1918. According to Britanica.com, “the Armistice … was the agreement which stopped the fighting on the Western Front while the terms of permanent peace were discussed.
In the short-term, peace was achieved, but as we know, permanent peace has not been achieved.
According to history.com, “close to 61,000 Canadians were killed during that war, and another 172,000 were wounded. Many more returned home broken in mind and body. The small colony of Newfoundland suffered 1,305 killed and several thousand wounded.”
We must remember them. We must remember those who are still making sacrifices in the hope that permanent peace will come, but there are still people who choose to fight, sometimes until someone dies.
Human beings fight in boardrooms and bedrooms, in backyards and parliament buildings, on school playgrounds, in dark alleys, across borders – any place can become a battle ground for people who want to fight.
Can’t we use our great gift of choice to choose peace? Are we neglecting a yearning in our hearts for peace?
Let’s not sit on the sidelines of life. Every effort made to restore and maintain peace, no matter how small, is vital to the health and well-being of all that God has created. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”
Let’s try to be as brave as those who are defending our country and us. Let’s do our part. As we interact with others, may our words and actions restore and maintain peace where it has been lost. Amen.
George Eugene Warner (Annie Warner Donnelly’s Dad) was a Wireless Air Gunner in a Lancaster bomber stationed in Britain during World War II. He survived the war without physical injury and came home to father four daughters and two sons. He died of a brain aneurism in his 51st year.