What doesn’t belong in this picture?

“It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it,” (Ecclesiastes 5:5, NLT).

As I explained in my blog post “Round Two,” I chose to participate in another “no sugar or dairy fast” for the month of September. But for the first week, I chose to also abstain from the following:

• ­Soda
• Bread
• Pasta
• Sweets
• Alcohol (no problem with this one)
• Red meat

So, if you answered: the biscuit! You would be correct!! The biscuit was my hubby’s, not mine!

I made my “fast” public for accountability, prayers, and your encouragement as I seek to honor my vow (or promise as it says in the New Living Translation in Ecclesiastes 5:5). I made this vow with the understanding I could not absolutely guarantee all foods, even limited by the above list, is 100% sugar-free. But it is to say, I check everything before feasting.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure,” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

There is no doubt when we make a vow to the Lord, Satan and his evil world forces will go to great lengths to see us fail! Temptations will show up like never before. I personally experienced it today. While enjoying a Labor Day outing with my hubby, we decided to order through our Mobile App with Chick-fil-A. Having some rewards accumulated on my App, I took full advantage. One such reward expiring today was for a free shake. I knew it would be hard, but the only way to enjoy this free offer was to give it to my hubby. I warned him not to give in to my whining. He agreed. As I ordered on my App, I realized he would be getting a Coke, PLUS, a kid’s ice cream cup. To say I have “will-power” is totally laughable, but realizing I had made this a public vow, I knew I couldn’t “fudge.” So, once again, I asked him to not give in to any amount of whining, and even if I threw punches, to “man-up” and not give in!! He felt he was fully capable and preceded to reserve us a table outside as I went in to get our order. While I waited at the pickup spot, the kind worker asked what I needed and then went to see about it. Meanwhile, he had instructed another worker to fill the drink. I was handed a medium sized carbonated, dark caramel-colored, mouth-watering, sugary drink! When my order had been filled, I watched in horror as the other worker walks toward me carrying a drink holder with ANOTHER beautiful, carbonated, dark caramel-colored, mouth-watering, sugary drink! “Oh,” he says, “we made a mistake and filled another drink. You can have them both. Enjoy!” I’m not really sure what my face said, but my insides were screaming, “NOT FAIR; all the times to give me free food and I can’t have it!!!!”

“Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So, let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

Nevertheless, kept my vow and my hubby had a terrific Labor Day, AND gained 5 pounds to boot! 😉

How was your Labor Day?