The Greatest Love

34 days left
and
6 days to go
on Phase One

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

My accountability partners are Sister Six-Pack-Abs and Sister Wisdom. I get either an email or a text from them almost everyday. What a blessing to know that while I am running around doing this or that, or even still asleep, I am on their mind and heart to pray for.

After supper today, I was having a battle. Ice cream or no ice cream? I had a poor innocent sister with me (also on the diet) that would've joined my crime. (I kinda threatened her nicely.) Then Husband joined the gang and offered to drive us (he is also on the Diet). Then Son was like, "No, I can drive all of you." It was a done deal. I wasn't gonna fail alone!

We reminisced about ice cream as though it were something we had been exiled from, like the Israelites from Egypt. You should've heard us carrying on and on about how good it used to be. No one mentioned the cramps, gas, calories, or fat that it caused and contained. Noooo.

Just when we were gonna get up and leave, I began to hear a voice in my head. It was like John the Baptist calling out in the wilderness. Not really, but you get the idea. It was WonderWoman's voice. "I am praying for you. You won't fail on my watch." It stopped me dead in my tracks. I could almost see her chompin' on honeycomb and tearing up some locusts. She is wearing her camel-hair joggin' suit, with her biceps glistening in the sun. And I hear her again, "...You won't fail on my watch."

WOW.

This is love. Preferring one over ourselves. Standing in the gap. Raising a sword in the devil's face and declaring victory for those captive. Praying. Fasting. Declaring. Believing and hoping for the best. This is what they do for us. This is what we are doing for one another. In times of strength and weakness, we are in this battle together.

I never left the house. I packed some strawberries and blueberries in a nice glass and called it dessert. I sit here in victory that I overcame one temptation today because someone chose to "lay down their life" for me in prayer. How many of you have a praise report where you just "knew" someone prayed you through? Thank God for them today.

Father, let us never take each other for granted. Help us to continue to press in and exemplify kindness towards one another. Whether we have success, or failure, trial or victory, give us true "agape" love that is pleasing in your eyes, Lord. Jesus, thank you for those that are pressing in for our success, as though it were their own. They want what you have always wanted for your children: complete freedom and life overflowing in abundance. We pause to thank you for these coaches and for one another. Amen.

XtremeFaith