I have scars. Real physical scars. Every time I see one of them I am reminded of something from my past. There are scars from when I had a run-in with a car – well I ran across the street and the car ran into me. I have a scar from a childhood spider bite that became infected. I have scars from surgeries. I have a scar from a pick-up basketball game. I think I will tell you more about that scar even though it is the most personally embarrassing of the ones I have mentioned.

I was a Sophomore Bible Major at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. I met up with some friends in Tine Davis Gym for an evening of basketball. I was not having a great game. My defense was decent, but while on offense I could not hit any baskets. It seemed no matter what shot I took I missed. Admittedly, I was using the game to blow off steam. It was a physical activity to let go of some of the pressures of college – studying, social life, extra-curricular involvement, relationships, finances, etc. Missing my shots was not helping. All the pressure came to a boil, when I took off for a fast break and a teammate passed me the ball. There was no defender close and I launched for and easy lay-up, letting the ball roll over the top of the rim . . . and I missed! I missed and easy two-points. I missed a lay-up! I could not even make that shot. I landed near the wooden bleachers that folded up like a wall for the side-to-side courts. At the moment they looked like a good object on which I could release my frustrations. I punched them and started back to play defense. That is when another player said, “Scott, your hand is bleeding!” The bleachers fought back and took a chunk out of my knuckle. I still have the scar.

When I look at my knuckles on my right hand and see the scar I remember that day. I changed after that. I decided that night to change. I was and still am embarrassed by that event. I began learning and implementing better ways to deal with anger and frustration. I pray that those there that day, know I have changed. I carry that scar reminding me not only of that event, but also of a simple truth.

What I choose to do today, impacts my tomorrow and the tomorrow of others.

The Apostle Paul said it this way, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

Will you repeat the simple truth aloud with me. I promise I am saying it aloud as keyboard it, “What I choose to do today, impacts my tomorrow and the tomorrow of others.”

Choose wisely.

– Scott