Lent and Temptation

I've never really given up anything for lent.  This year I "gave up" facebook.  Lame, I know.  I don't have anything against facebook but found that I was wasting so much time just looking at things that really had no significance in my life.  I would miss time with Abby but I would know what some long lost "friend" from high school was doing...

So, I decided to stop looking at facebook to see what impact it would have on my life...Guess what? No significant impact.  And, I also realized how often I was looking to the internet to keep me occupied where I could be looking at something a little more important...like, the Bible for instance....

Anyway, one thing that I have also done for Lent this year is read the Bible first thing in the morning.  I love the Holy Bible app on my phone.  So easy and quick and right there when I need it.  Steve and I are reading a plan called Lent for Everyone.  Today (we didn't really start on "time" so we are behind...) the reading was from Matthew 12, but the devotional was what stuck out to me.  It talked about temptation in someone's life and how the initial struggles we have with temptation clear the way for fruitful work in their years to come.  "In fact, one might suggest that precisely the reason for the fierce temptation early on in someone's life, or ministry, is because the enemy knows precisely how important that later work will be, and how vital it is - from that hostile viewpoint! - to sabotage it as quickly and thoroughly as possible."  

WOW

It gives a new light on a lot of things for me.  I think through things like learning to be an educator, raising kids, dealing with sick kids, battling depression, having frustrations when you feel like you are doing what the Lord wants....These are things we ALL deal with and now I see them through a new light!  During those dark days, if you are frustrated with what is happening and it is not going your way...Have faith.  The Lord will come through because the work is important!  These temptations or frustrations could be because of the significance of calling you have later on!

I hope this encourages someone else as much as it encouraged me!  And I hope I remember to turn back here when I am going through a time of temptation.