I read a particular article that came close to home. It showed a community that was being forced to make large decisions regarding school children. The town like many is on the “downhill slide” in regard to economics.

I read a similar article on a region troubled by decreasing business and a declination in the business atmosphere.Translation-In both cases like so many, schools, towns and states are beginning to see the consequences of their choices. But, those consequences weren’t churned out by a district, a community or even a state. These are “people” issues.

Last night I had a dream.

I was sitting on a bed looking at old pictures. As I watched, I saw the pictures actually had the ability to show me the previous 15 seconds prior to the picture being taken even though they had been taken many, many years before. In another scene I also saw that there were lots of children in the swimming pool and that there were many things that were being done to save them after they had failed to listen to the life guard. Some of the scene reminded me of a bar and restaurant I had owned. People stumbled around under the influence, getting in trouble. In the final scene I saw many people joining the Olympics.

 First I want to say that I believe if you have done wrong things God has truly paid for them AND forgotten them. (I am in fact reaping what HE sowed!) But the world…may not be so quick to forget. The consequences of an action may in fact, really be there. A one night stand can cost one a marriage, a family. A car accident caused by texting, alcohol or drugs may ruin the career of a young person. (Or for that matter anyone!)

I thought this morning that friends don’t let friends lose their future.

As I thought about the dream, I saw four things.

• Every picture began somewhere else to get to the picture.
• We always have the right to not listen to the “life guard”.
• There are things in life that just because we can does not mean we ought to.
• There is the potential to win, but not everyone gets there.

I often think how much trouble I could have avoided if I had “just listened.” Proverbs 1:20 tells us “wisdom is crying aloud in the streets.” There is a beckoning call of wisdom. Not all peace is God’s peace. His peace will be accompanied with wisdom.

Will I listen? Will you?