First: This morning, my mother prepared my packed lunch (she’s the best mother in the world right). To my surprise, she cooked Hotdog & Meatballs for me. And… it’s meat. M-E-A-T. How am I suppose to eat it? She honestly admitted that she forgot that it’s Ash Wednesday today. She somehow thought that maybe it’s okay for me to have it for lunch. I was quite shy to tell her to change it, because I knew in my heart that she worked hard for it. I was tempted to bring the food and just eat it, and forget about my fasting and abstinence. But I suddenly thought that it’s too early to give in to this. So then, I had to do it. I had to ask her to change it. I asked her nicely and promised to eat the food tomorrow.
Third: The marketing head of our partner merchant happened to be in our town today. He was very happy with the result of our tie-up that he invited me to have a meal with him in their restaurant. Since it’s a restaurant that serves mainly chicken, I had to turned it down and make excuses. He was quite insistent, but luckily I did not give in.
Fourth: After attending the mass with my boyfriend, our friends invited us to have coffee. When we arrived at the place, they then decided to have coffee AND karaoke. Good thing all of us were observing fasting and abstinence, so we did not order anything else aside from coffee and chips only. But the temptation was there, we are all tempted to order other food. It was difficult because we’re all starving. Haha
To be honest, it was not easy. I struggled. But you know what I did? I constantly reminded myself that I was doing this for Him and not solely for myself. If you try to look at it, there is only one Ash Wednesday in a year. He is only asking for ONE day, who am I not to give it to Him? :) Besides, He will never give these temptations if it is not part of His plan. Right? As they say, everything happens for a reason. And everything has a purpose in His plan, including these so-called temptations. :)
When we resist temptation, we gain strength. Similarly, when we fall into a temptation, we lose stength.
(Source: hashohmygosh)
