Guess what I got for Mother's Day? I had no idea I was getting it. I didn't even have to ask. It's something that has been helping me relax, sleep, and take it easy.
I got... a cold and plenty of hot beverages to soothe a raw throat.
Some gift, huh?
Apparently, my Mother's Day cold is the gift that just keeps on giving, too, since I still can't fully shake it. Yesterday, I felt so horrible I couldn't even blog. And yes, I missed my Daily Cup family.
The good news is, today, other than a few throat issues and chest stuffiness, I don't feel too bad.
I do, however, miss visiting my mom, Annie. As you know, she has been heavy on my heart. And I've been spending lots of time with her as she fights breast cancer.
But, to avoid making her ill while she's going through chemotherapy (Her system is highly susceptible to infection right now!) I have to stay away, and keep the "cooties" to myself.
Even in the Hobbs household, I've been working diligently not to pass along whatever this is that has managed to overtake my body.
So, whenever I drink hot tea out of my cup, after I put it down, I have to keep 5-year-old Kaleb from sneaking the last remaining sip. He likes to do that, a lot.
If I'm eating something, I have to consciously remind myself not to share a nice, big, infected spoonful with the kids.
And, in those rare moments when I forget that I'm a carrier of the plague, and happen to lean in for a kiss from hubby, I'm quickly reminded of it. Kenya's crucifix symbol made from his two intersecting pointer fingers; the slow, careful, backward walking; and the incessant shaking of his head to indicate that I should not come any closer; are all pretty much dead giveaways that the kiss is gonna be a no. Then he laughs and says, "Sorry, can't do it baby."
Can't do it.
What if we said that more when it comes to things that could possibly be detrimental to us? Those three words would be the perfect response to:
- Commitments that are much too difficult to keep
- Habits and behaviors that pull us away from God
- Alliances formed out of selfish desires and ambitions, rather than a God-ordained vision
- Conversations that drag us into gossip, negativity, and strife
- Toxic relationships that, like leeches, suck all the life and vitality out of us
- Anything that compromises our integrity, balance, spiritual health, and ability to fulfill God's mandate on our lives
Today, I want to add those three words--Can't do it--to your cup of inspiration, and mine. Because, when we begin rejecting those things that hinder us, then we make room for what propels us forward along our path to purpose.
Together, let's do what Hebrews 12:1 instructs us to do, and cast aside anything that holds us back. Let us be fierce defenders of our spiritual health. That way, when an antigen or toxin tries to infiltrate our spiritual wall of defense, we'll be strong enough to fight back, and win.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I know You have a purpose and plan for my life, and I want to walk it out. So please, help me to be a strong defender of my spiritual health, by resisting distractions, hindrances, and temptations that threaten to overtake and overthrow my destiny. In Jesus' name, Amen.
