How do you make decisions?

This morning I had one of those moments. You know the kind, where it seems a lot of completely unrelated things are going on (politics, conventions, work, home life, family). While not feeling lost, nor overwhelmed, but rather a bit curious as to (if you are able to step back to have a look at) how everything fits together. Being Catholic of course, I wonder how God is fitting all these dissimilar things together. If if you are not a believer in a Higher Faith or Power, you certainly would have thoughts about how things "fit together" nonetheless.

I think what triggered my thinking was pondering the obnoxious political rhetoric these days. Who's the better Patriot, Who's got more experience, Who is the better leader, Who's got the better judgment. As I listen to both Obama and McCain (but primarily this years crop of Democrats) I wonder how people live their lives according to one set of rules and one set of values, then attempt to govern and legislate by another. Perhaps there is a way to reconcile the two, but frankly I don't see how. (Example: using yellow balloons as a metaphor for any of the current hot button issue like guns, energy, abortion, etc) If I personally believe that yellow balloons are root of all evil, how can I function as a human being knowing that I governed or supported legislation that increased the desire and accessibility of yellow balloons. Unless these politicians are soul-less, empty husks, eventually governing and legislating in a manner inconsistent with your personal beliefs would have to completely tear and rip you apart on the inside. Is has to right?

Anyway. This morning, the homily at daily mass today really hit home, and then was further crystallized by something I read in our Diocesan newspaper. Its from St. Francis of Assisi.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi before the San Damiano Cross

"All-highest, glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of my heart. Give me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity and profound humility, with wisdom and perception, O Lord, so that I may do what is truly your holy will. Amen." ... Saint Francis of Assisi

And to go further with St. Francis of Assisi, an even more applicable prayer (and more well known) is:

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Sometimes other people can make things clearer than we can. I found these words in describing St. Francis' prayer above:

Sometimes Christians are called to turn the world upside down. To bring the exact opposite of what we find in our world. St. Francis' prayer is a bold one, asking for strength to give of ourselves to meet the needs of others. He recognises that it "is in giving that we receive", that as we give of ourselves, we receive the peace and blessing of our risen Lord Jesus. We cannot earn eternal life, but that we are pardoned from the sins that block our claim on it.
Think about the situations that you are involved in that require peace, consolation, hope, light and joy. Then, if you're bold enough, pray the prayer!

I know how I make my decisions. How do you make yours?
Peace to you all.