Fell off the Wagon

I have a confession to make. I fell off the wagon. Yes, I did. Don't worry..I am not talking alcohol here. And I certainly do not make light of anyone trying to kick an addiction. I grew up with alcoholism in my family, so I understand how difficult fighting addictions can be.

No, this wagon was the beef wagon. Yesirree. Good ole' BEEF. I pray to God that WonderWoman and SuperChick (my Biblical health coaches) are off running a 10k marathon, or at a weight-lifter's convention somewhere in..let's say..Africa or Antartica. If not, and they are reading this, for sure, I am in trouble. MOOOOO. You see, I have been "red meat free" for around 45 days and my body was responding wonderfully to this! UNTIL TODAY when I got an unexpected dinner guest.

One of my very close friends came over and whipped up a meal that would make your mama cry. That famous cook, with the initials P.D. can't touch this gal's cookin' yawl. I mean this girl is "no joke". Anytime you see a woman put on a cookin' shirt so the "grease don't git me", RUN FOR YOUR LIFE. She is about to make a meal fit for a queen. ME! She had the onions going, the mushrooms, the butter, the olive oil..and then she asks me to season THE BEEF. What was I to do?? I mean it was still MOOOOO-ING. I had to help! As I washed it, all of a sudden a craving that had been dead woke right up.

Next thing I know, she was slicing the best looking, most tenderized, juiciest piece of steak I ever saw. She said, "Wanna piece?" Before I could object, that smooth-as-butta beef was makin' its way into that area under my nose and top of my chin. GASP! (Someone help WW and SC get up off the floor, they just fainted.) As you guessed, I didn't stop there. I had about ten "slivas" of thinly cut steak. My brain was saying, "STOP!!" But my senses were shutting my poor brain off. Tongue and tummy were havin' a field day.

Hence, six hours later. Uh-oh. Tongue has left the party and tummy is wondering what is this stuff just sittin' here? Alarms and bells are going off. "Must remove quickly. Foreign object has entered." Tummy is makin' some weird noises, and I am on my way for my 6th trip to the bathroom. I mean it sure tasted good going down. Now, after the fact, it sure was not worth it.

Sin is like this. It looks good, smells good, tastes good, feels good-for the moment. Oh yes. I may be saved, but I have had more temptations in my life than I could ever list. Til this day, if I hear any Latin music playing, it seems my foot starts going, my fingers start to tapping, neck startsta boppin'. All I need is a sombrero and some high heels and it's off to the club I would go "...the spirit is willing, but the body is weak," (Matthew 26:41).

Just like my body reacted to beef, our spirits repulse those things that are of the flesh. (Galatians 5:17). God designed us this way. His love is so great that He built this repulsion into us to protect us from becoming satisfied with fleshly ways. This is why you can't cuss someone out and be at peace about it, or steal money and rest easy. God won't allow it.

We all fall short. We can repent to our Lord with a broken spirit. He will forgive and restore us. It's when we don't run to Him that we have to be careful. "All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear his sins will be exposed," (John 3:20).

Is there is some area in your life where you "fell off the wagon"? Was it angry words you spoke? Did you do something you swore you never would do again? (MOO.) Don't despair. Our loving Father awaits you. His open arms are there to embrace you. Go to Daddy and talk to Him. Let Him know of your struggles and your weaknesses. Guess what? He knows them and loves you anyway. Your name is inscribed in His hands (Isaiah 49:16).

Unlike my health coaches, God will be quick to forgive us of all our iniquity and wash us clean. He is our Creator. There is NOTHING hidden FROM HIS EYES. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account," (Hebrews 4:13). Please, snuggle up in Daddy's arms, and tell him what ails you. It moves His heart with compassion. Not our sin. But that we trust Him enough to tell Him everything, and know He will love us anyway.

Gotta go. I hear WonderWoman and SuperChick's capes flappin' in the wind. They are coming after me with their beef-detectors in their hands. I just need ten more trips to the bathroom and no evidence will remain. I am safe...for now.

XtremeFaith