In the last six months, I learned a new card game. It is a rummy style game called Five Crowns. There are eleven rounds and the game can be played in an hour or so. Easy to learn, it seems there isn’t much skill involved in playing the game. The cards are dealt at random, you choose one and discard one every turn, and you can’t control what you get in the initial deal or at your turn. So, completely random.

As we played last night, one player observed that you can’t control the cards you get, but you do get to decide how to play them. That is an amazing observation of not only the card game, but life in general.

Life, and what comes my way, feels very random at times and, admittedly, a bit out of my control. So while I may not be able to change what comes my way, I do get to choose how to respond and “play the cards” I am dealt.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Today is a great day to remember I have a choice what I do with the cards I hold. What will you do with the hand you have been dealt?