May #jammed: Growing Grace.

Day 128: Consistency.

“Do not overwork yourself just to become wealthy;
    have enough sense to know when to quit.” Proverbs 23:4 (VOICE)

“Lauren …why didn’t you eat any of this?” I asked of her untouched lunch.

“Oh, it was breakfast for lunch today, mom,” she explained, “so I decided to be a buyer.”

“Lauren ….we talked about this.” I reminded.

And we had. Earlier in the school year, I received a bill from the school cafeteria. Funny, because I had put plenty of money in her lunch account to cover the few times she bought lunch. Little did know, she decided to buy milk …a lot. Just when I thought she had grasped the concept, she trumped just adding milk and went for the whole lunch.

Why do we reach for what isn’t ours?

The NIV version of today’s verse says , “Do not wear yourself out …” and she wears me out. I have yet to figure out what the right balance of restraint is concerning lunch money. Surly there cannot be an unlimited supply.

The temptation to backslide into bad spending habits might just be a struggle of mine little Lo inherits.

The “sense to know when to quit” does not instruct us to listen to what we feel like doing. This verse, and the one that follows, guides us towards an overall occupational health …untied from earning money.

Let’s face it, some jobs don’t pay well, but that doesn’t make them any less satisfying or important. (Stay at home moms …you are important!) Wealthy people have their own obligations to uphold and demons to slay. Wishing for wealth …or some ‘thing’ is dangerous. We don’t always understand what we’re asking for, and it may not be ours to handle. The protective hand of God is all-knowing.

“As soon as you become fixed on riches, they vanish.
    For suddenly they sprout wings
    and become like a soaring eagle flying high in the sky.” Proverbs 23:5 (VOICE)

It’s dangerous to focus on human efforts and attainments. They sprout wings …and we can’t fly.

wing-  a means of flight or rapid progress. Merriam-Webster

Like letting go of a helium balloon and trying to yank it back down out of the sky, chasing after what we aren’t supposed to own carries our happiness away with it …quickly, and out of reach.

eagle-…birds of prey …noted for their strength, size, keenness of vision, and powers of flight. Merriam-Webster

We are the enemy’s prey, and he’s extremely keen, sneaky, and deceptive. God is stronger, but we must not underestimate the power of Satan to knock us painfully off-track in life. Jesus is here to stop the attack. One look at Him, and the devil shudders. Stand behind His shield by staying in God’s Living Word to prepare for each day’s journey. Look to Him before stepping out of bounds and straying from His protective hand.

Father, Praise You for eagles, and the visual image of them soaring. Thank You for reminding us to soar with Your strength and guidance, as an eagle floats along with the wind. Forgive us for letting ourselves be snatched up by anything other than Your vision for our lives, and bless our hearts and minds to know the difference. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Soaring,

Megs

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