WARNING: Real life. May confuse those who are fake or robotic.

So I’m finally home after a good day’s work, right? I’m washing dishes, listening to Francis Chan, … and the phone goes off.

“Wanna play?”

Well, my first thought was, “Hmmm, maybe we can get in a few holes before dark.” But then I saw who the text was from… and realized we didn’t have the same sport in mind.

And that’s when the brain went wild. There was a temptation tornado twisting its way through every neuron in my noggin.

Rather than respond, I added more soap to the dish water and kept scrubbing. I didn’t know you could actually scrub the colored finish off of plates. And those scouring sponges that say they won’t scratch… do.

And the phone went off again…

More soap. Scrub, scrub, scrub.

The weather in my head was still violent, but I could see now. I didn’t know what to say though…

(And this is where the true act of God starts.)

I cleared a path through the bubbles and picked up the phone.

“Why are you so scared?” she asked.

“God,” I replied.

(Long pause, as the message travels from cell tower to her cell to her…).

“Ok,” she replied.

And I finished the dishes.

Lessons I Learned:
Temptation comes when I am weak. Home (alone) after a hard day’s work (tired) and doing the dishes (bored).
Temptation comes when I am going in the other direction (listening to God, through Francis Chan).
Temptation is tempting (by definition).
Temptation is an opportunity to prove out who I am.
Temptation is an opportunity for God to be who he is (1 Corinthians 10:13).
God provides strength to beat temptation.
God uses temptation to make me stronger.
God uses temptation as a witness.
Without God’s help, I would of made a big mess.

Anyone else tempted, or is it just me?