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Horseback Riding and Kicking Bad Habits
by Nancy Quinn My friend invited me to stay overnight after school on a Friday night. We rode the bus over the graveled, dusty roads to her family's farm and immediately raced to the barn. The mare was soon saddled, and we spent the evening taking turns riding and walking the length of the field. As a teen, I had outgrown being able to ride my Shetland pony and I treasured any time on a horse! The next night Julie called me at home. Evidently our brilliant idea to take turns walking beside the horse the day before had confused her training and her dad wasn't happy at the work we had undone. As I think back to that experience, it reminds me how easy it is sometimes to form a bad habit. From things like smoking, chewing on fingernails or participating in office gossip, sometimes it doesn't take long to easily fall into a bad habit that becomes difficult to break. I know that God can give us victory over any fleshly weakness and temptation, and I encourage you to think of the things you do that you wish you didn't. Have you asked for God's help lately in getting victory over those weaknesses? I pray for victory over my mouth, and I want to maintain a spirit of self-control to maintain my testimony and witness. Our good habits lead others to Christ and make an awesome testimony and witnessing tool! Psalm 18:35 "You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great." Proverbs 2:7 "He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless." I Corinthians 15:57 "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Psalm 32:9 "Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you." I Peter 1:13 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." May God bless these words as I strive to encourage others in their walk with Christ. Please contact me if you would like to request a specific lesson that Lucy Mouse can teach your children or if you would like a coloring page to be sent to match the story! Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |