...unclean for you...

...detestable to you...

            Leviticus 11. 4, 10

(These phrases appear

over and over and over

again in chapter 11.

There are reasons

     for making choices

--not just what we don't do,

            but what we do--

that make a difference

in our lives,

in our relationship with others,

in our relationship with God.

God has reasons for it,

    whether we understand or not.

Am I willing to follow God

                      in this?

And sometimes the choice

    is being willing to look different

just because

that thing -- whatever it is,

    however innocent it appears --

may not be a wise choice

                     for me

and always impacts others.)

O LORD,

Help us to know

that the choices we make

do not just impact

the course of our lives,

but directly impact

       those around us.

Grant us the courage

   to make different choices

that point us to You

and invariably

          point others to You,

not even by our choices

      but by our hearts.

We can justify anything,

but not everything is good

                        for us.

Please help us

        to be discerning

for Your glory

              even in this today.