There are no wrong decisions

I wrote that in an email to a friend last night, and I'm inspired to elaborate here for my few readers.
As Christians, we often get caught up in trying to determine God's Will For Our Lives. We put this big heavy label on our decisions, and soon, instead of looking at the general trajectory of our lives (are we becoming more like Jesus?), we are looking at our daily decisions: Should I get a Master's degree? What kind of car should I buy? Should I have a baby? Should I use "cry it out" to train that baby to sleep? Should I get another cat/dog? Should I hire a Christian plumber? Should I get a divorce? Should I vote Libertarian? Is it ok for me to drink alcohol when I'm stressed? Should I see a therapist? (and by the way, the answer to that question is ALWAYS yes)
Now, I'm not decrying the power of prayer, or the importance of weighing large decisions in a number of ways, including seeking advice, weighing pros and cons, and praying. But we get so paralyzed, and then we get so frightened of making the "wrong decision," that we get tied up in knots and we are no longer seeking Christ. What we really want is a guarantee - that if we pick the right option, we will win God's approval and be spared pain. We are seeking control, and using "God's Will For Our Lives" as an excuse.
Because there are no wrong decisions. At least not when it comes to God's love and blessing upon us. God will always love us. God will always bless us. God will always be there, holding on to us even as we make decisions that cause pain to others. And don't misunderstand me: there are decisions that hurt ourselves and others, and there are decisions that go against God's best desires for us. But God doesn't care. God will always love us.
I picture God as a lap. I close my eyes and feel God's arms around me, God's lap beneath me, God's warm maternal love pouring forth over me. Just like I'm a lap to Tori. As she cries and wails and tries desperately to stay awake (a decision that hurts her), I hold her and soothe her and pour out the best of my poor blessings that I have upon her.
Don't be so frightened. Let go of control. Remember that there are no wrong decisions - there will always be pain and there will always be God's love holding you fast.

The Adventures of Tori and the Cats, II

Pipsqueak pushed the bathroom door open with a vigorous head butt. Tori slung her head over to look at him as the door swung open. Pip stopped in his tracks. Green eyes met blue eyes.
"You're a cat," said Tori.
Pip nodded.
"I'm a baby," she added.
Pip came forward gingerly and sniffed the air around Tori's head. She brought her arm around to pet him the way Mama helped her to do, but there was a little too much force and Pip jumped back.
"What was that for?" he growled.
"Sorry, Mama does it better," she said. Tori shifted in her Bumbo. "She's in there," she continued, pointing towards the second door.
Pipsqueak nodded. "That's why I'm here. I like to roll around in the shower after she's finished."
"Roll around in the water?"
"Yep."
Tori and Pipsqueak regarded one another with mutual curiosity. Then the shower stopped and in a moment or two the door opened. Pip sauntered towards it. Tori sighed a small ah, and Mama's face appeared. She smiled widely at baby Tori, who gave her a Mona Lisa smile in return.

The Adventures of Tori and the Cats

Tori waited to make sure Mama and Daddy were both asleep. They stayed up so late, and often came in at the first sound she made, so she had learned to wait a while before her nocturnal wanderings. One of the cats was scratching at the door, but she would just have to wait. Finally, Tori stood up, climbed out of the crib, and standing on her tiptoes, opened the door. Duchess swirled into the room.
"What's on for tonight?" she asked.
Tori shrugged. "Is there a full moon yet?"
"No, not tonight. I keep telling you, it takes a full month. You know, moon, month?"
"No, I don't know, you stupid cat. I'm only 5 and a half months old."
"But you just used the word month!"
"Don't bother me with your cat logic." Tori stepped purposefully into the hallway.
"Wanna watch them sleep?" asked Duchess, hovering near Mama and Daddy's doorway.
"Oh puh-lease. The last time we did that you just curled up and went to sleep."
"Well, can I help it if they are oh so soft and warm? I don't know why you don't like sleep, after all, at your age you can get away with sleeping all the time."
"Sleep is bo-ring. Plus Mama and Daddy party after I go to sleep."
Duchess nodded. It was true, after all.
"How about we check progress on the house facelift?"
"OK."
The two conspirators went into the dining room, where Duchess lightly leaped up to the door trim where the key was held. Tori managed to unlock and open the door and they were out on the deck, in the cold moonlight. They crept around to the front of the house.
"Looking good!" said Tori approvingly.
"Yes, I like their color choices. That chocolate brown trim is lovely."
"I'm not crazy about the light brown siding though. Reminds me of the bathroom." Tori pursed her lips.
They walked all the way around the house, and then Tori gave a great stretch and yawn. "Time to go back in," tutted Duchess, who really just wanted to do some hunting in peace. Tori was not fond of the way Duchess ate her prey. Tori nodded sleepily and they went back inside. Duchess got Tori settled, then went back to the dining room. Only then did she realize her mistake - without Tori, she couldn't open the door! With a sigh, she went back to the Mama-Daddy room and curled up in between them for some nice peaceful sleep.