Giving Into Temptation!

Do you notice that sometimes it’s the small things that tempt you?
The small cupcake when you’re trying to eat healthily?
The small lie you could tell to get out of trouble?
The small guilty pleasure that distracts you from mundane life?

I was tempted this week!
I was tempted to be disobedient to God. And you’ll never guess what I was tempted by…..
A t-shirt.
A bright red t-shirt.
Let me explain…..

God has told me clearly that until the end of the year (at least) I am not to take anything new on or jump back into full-on ministry. This might sound like bliss, but it’s been hard! I am a do-er and I have a million ideas of new things I could be doing!
This time of year is especially hard as we head into my most favorite season of all……Christmas!

Oh, the things I could be doing! The people I could be serving, the ideas that are swirling around my head. It’s hard to sit on my hands and not put them up for everything!

A few years ago I came up with the idea to bless our community with hampers and presents. Last year it grew exponentially and someone else saw the oversight of it, but it was my baby from birth and something I am still super passionate about!

The planning meetings started in Aug and I was purposeful in not going and getting involved. I kinda figured if I was disobedient to God then my healing would take longer than it needs to, it was hard, but I stayed away.

Then this week I was tempted to throw that all away, to be disobedient, to just do one small thing, and I had convinced myself God would be okay with it! Now I know God forgives, but I never want to be obstinately disobedient! 

The crew started collecting food items this week! It is super fun walking the streets of TA while families come out and bring donations for the hampers. And this year, if you were a volunteer you got a t-shirt! A bright red t-shirt! Oh, how my heart lept when I heard this!

I have a few weaknesses and one of them is t-shirts! I have a (wee) collection of them and always seem to be picking up more! To be honest, I am too embarrassed to tell you how many I have, but I will tell you, it’s quite a few!

So when there is a free t-shirt on offer, I am there with bells on!
How would it hurt to help one night? I mean its just one night and I walk away with a new t-shirt….everyone wins right?

Nope!
I don’t win. As much as I would love a new t-shirt, obedience to God is higher on my priority list. And to think I would give up that obedience for a t-shirt actually worries me a little!

But I am stronger than that and God has my back. He is full of grace and forgiveness when I am not so strong, He is my refuge and my safe place when I need a reprieve from the relentless tactics of the enemy. He brings more comfort and joy than a red t-shirt can ever bring me. And so I said no to a t-shirt, and yes to God!

A shiny red t-shirt may not be tempting to you, but I can tell you my friend, the enemy will work out what temps you and will draw you in with it.
Stay on your guard, remain obedient, and draw close to the one who knows you best!

As for me, I am wearing an old (Christmas) t-shirt today and I am more than happy in it!