Are you tempted?

As Miriam and I got out of the car, I could smell it. The grill was on and it was hot. The aroma of meat cooking aroused and tempted my senses. Applebee's Grill was cooking dinner! 

Not long after we were seated, Sarah joined us. It would be just the three of us this evening. Elizabeth is traveling with her hubby, enjoying some winter time in the south! Anna is south for the winter as well, helping her parents. Rebbecca stayed home to join her husband in a much anticipated telephone call from her out-of-state son who is making some big decisions in his life. 

Many new dishes tempted us as we studied the menu. The menu had changed since I had last been there. I didn’t want to miss an option, so I studied each page. 

I settled on the Chicken Fajita Roll-up (truthfully, I wanted the French fries that came along with it)!

Sarah had the Hot Shot Whiskey Chicken which was my second choice and boy did it look yummy! 


Miriam ordered the Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken. We thanked God for the gathering and the food and the sharing began.
 
Miriam and I asked Sarah about her job. Knowing that she has an end date in sight for retirement didn’t make it easier to hear that her employer (who just laid off a number of individuals) is now hiring. She is tempted to just put in her time, work 9 to 5 and call it a day; however, Sarah isn’t working for her employer. She is working as if for the Lord. She is strong. She is trusting God to see her through these last few months and all the stresses and trials of her situation. Sarah is a woman of God.

Miriam had just spent time with family celebrating three birthdays. It was nice to hear about her day out of town, visiting local establishments and enjoying a couple of meals with her grown children. No matter how old our children get, it is great fun to spend time with them and get a glimpse into their lives. When most people put themselves first, Miriam isn’t tempted in that way. She puts others first. She is truly concerned for those around her. She is strong. Miriam is a woman of God.

Just as I was tempted by the smells and the looks of foods on the menu, I am tempted by things in life. Satan is a liar and tries to deceive me. In a recent Bible study Children of the Day by Beth Moore, one lesson focused on deception and reminded me to not let anyone deceive me. How do I do that? I read the Bible. I study it. I pray. I surround myself with Christians to give me strength and hold me accountable. I listen to Christian music and I am careful with what I expose to my eyes. 

My prayer is that you do the same. Get to know Jesus.

John 14:6

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Blessings,

Ruth