It’s been there for twenty-one years, trailing down the rock
wall and slyly hiding behind the rose bushes.
Twice I got poisoned by that beautifully disguised three leaf
plant. I’ve been seriously bombarded
with a hot, itchy rash that wouldn't let me find comfort or sleep. Some rash turned into blisters that started
bleeding and needed antibiotics. Now I know why it is called “poison” ivy.
Knowledgeable people stay away
from it, or do they?
A deeply desired temptation propels us to make stupid moves.
For instance, a friend’s son is getting married and they need dried rose petals
for the end of the ceremony. Perfect, I want to help! I know the ivy is behind
the rose bushes but I’ll be careful not to touch anything with a dark green
leaf. For several days I walk by the rose bushes with temptation luring me on. If I
wear long sleeves and gloves nothing will happen. But I’ve done that before and
somehow some poison oil got on my skin and it spread throughout my body. Nah, this time it will be different. Now I
know better. And so I deadheaded the rose bushes and got poison on my left
thumb. That was on Monday. By Wednesday
I was awake all night scratching my arms, neck and fingers. Friday morning I
woke up, my face and neck were so swollen I could hardly see. I took a picture and sent it to my friend
with the message, “Look Ma, no wrinkles.” An hour later I was in the walk in
clinic to get medicine for my infected body.
Temptation has a way of deceiving
us.
Giving in to temptation that is wrong for us will always
hurt. Many times it will not only hurt
us, but also friends and families. When we give in to:
·
It’s just
a little flirting, it won’t come amount to anything.
·
I’ll lie
just this one time.
·
I’ll just
“borrow” this money from the drawer and put it back when I have some of my own.
·
Pornography
is free, easy and gives such pleasure. I can stop any time.
·
Just a few
drinks after work, it won’t hurt me.
And on it goes.
Jesus the Son of God taught us to pray: “And don’t let us
yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13) Jesus
told us to pray that because He knows if we “yield” we will hurt.
There is a deceiver Satan, who knows our vulnerability, our
weak spots and blindsides us into wanting something that we should not have.
Satan is out to separate us from our vibrant and love filled relationship with
God. Knowing this is the first step to
STOPPING and PRAYING the way Jesus modeled for us to pray.
We live in a seductive world and
it is easy to get caught.
We are in the middle of the most colourful time of the
year. The autumn landscape evokes deep
reflection for me. What are some things I
could have done differently? (Don’t
go near the poison ivy). What tempts me? How did I honour God this past
year? When I was hurt or offended, did I give in to temptation and respond with
kindness or underlying anger?
Everything is too accessible for the younger generation and
us. Almost daily I pray for my twelve grandchildren: “they would not be led
into temptation but to deliver them from the evil one.” Jesus taught us how to pray
so that would be safe, healthy and live the abundant life He came to live. May we learn from His life that He modeled
for us when He walked this earth.
Heidi McLaughlin lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan
Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. Heidi has been widowed twice. She is a mom
and step mom of a wonderful, eclectic blended family of 5 children and 12
grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves to curl up with a great
book, or golf and laugh with her family and special friends.
Her latest book RESTLESS FOR MORE: Fulfillment in Unexpected Places
(Including a FREE downloadable Study Guide) is now available at Amazon.ca;
Amazon.com, Goodreads.com or her website: www.heartconnection.ca
4 comments:
Thanks for putting it all into perspective, Heidi. Yes, no matter how careful we are about getting too close to sin - it has the ability to snare us and before we know it we are travelling down a path - or dealing with a rash - that really shouldn't have been.
Ouch on the Poison Ivy, though. that looks nasty. Hope you are all over it!
"We live in a seductive world and it is easy to get caught." This is such a true statement and my heart hurts from seeing this a little too often ...
Thanks for this great post that makes us sit up and think, then thank! Yes, may we learn from the life of Jesus!
Oh yes, we think we'll be able to get close to the source of the poisonous traps in life and avoid the sting, BUT . . .
I hope, along with Glynis, that you are over that nasty rash. Some years ago May had a similar experience with poison ivy; just horrible. Thanks for the life application.
It's lovely to see Grandma' with the young'uns. ~~+~~
That's not nice at all. Hope you're over the worst of it.
Thank you Glynis, Peter and Carolyn for your comments. I can't believe I got caught again, but then why not? Temptation makes us do weird things. Love sharing these moments with you!
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