After living at college for a year and a half, I transferred to a college close enough to home that I could live at home and commute. I was a (generally) responsible young adult, and I didn’t have many rules. I was busy. Between classes and work and a couple other commitments, I didn’t have much free time, and I certainly wasn’t interested in staying up half the night and being exhausted for a full next day.

I met my (to be) husband at the end of my senior year, and he called me the night I’d graduated to see if I wanted to hang out. He lived near the college, which was an hour from where I lived, so by the time we got together, it was 10 p.m. We’d both admit we weren’t looking for a relationship, but we connected right away. We got immersed in great discussion and before we knew it, it was after 1 a.m. By the time I got home, it was nearly 2:30.

My parents were (of course) in bed when I got home, but when I got up the next morning, I was told – very firmly – that the least I could have done was call and that next time I would call. (This was in the days before cell phones.)

I couldn’t imagine there’d be a next time. The evening was great, but I didn’t generally enjoy staying up half the night, and remember, I wasn’t looking for a relationship, so why would I sacrifice sleep to hang out with someone? Well, I did…a few nights later. This time I called home.

“Hi, Dad. I just wanted to let you know I’m on my way home and I’ll be home in about 45 minutes.”

“Okay. Where are you?”

“In Bunker Hill.”

“Where?”

“That little gas station on the west side of the road.”

“Susan. That is not a safe place to be standing at a pay phone. Get in your car and get home.”

Hhm. Have you ever met one expectation just to find another one waiting for you? The truth is we live by many guidelines at once. Some are non-negotiables. Some are situational. We have to know and assess the options and choose wisely.

What are the non-negotiables in your life?

What are principles or advice you apply situationally or occasionally?

Use the tool I didn’t have years ago – a cell phone – to help keep you accountable to the principles God wants you to live by. Set the alarm to go off a couple times each day. Each time you hear the alarm, check yourself and how you’re measuring up to the guiding principles of your life.

Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2