By Julie Paulsen
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world, If anyone love the world the love of the Father is not in him
Every now and then my husband lovingly refers to me as, “Lucy!” It’s always after I’ve had a Lucy moment, you know the kind. In my most recent Lucy moment I prayed for no surprise visitors to show up knocking at my door, even my family wouldn’t care to drop by that day, not into my stinky home! In a few days I was to serve a wedding rehearsal dinner for a friend and was so very pleased with myself for planning ahead. I put some eggs on to boil then went to the computer, “for just a few minutes!” Those few minutes turned into enough minutes to send a rotten smell wafting to the other end of the house where I was busy working….or, should I say playing at the computer!
Nearing the time of my husband’s arrival home, after a long day of work, and not wanting to explain the appalling odor, I was forced to rush around opening windows, boiling vanilla in the microwave and lighting every candle I could find. I could already imagine his voice, “Lucy, you got some ‘splainin’ to do!”
My husband’s pet name is endearing, often accompanied by a charming smile and love pat. However, reviewing the event through the Spirit’s guidance, going deeper into incident that day, it was obviously a teachable moment, exposing a buried desire of my heart…a love of passively lolling at the computer, escaping through games, chatting, Pinterest, Facebook, etc.
In my younger days of mothering I was obsessed with soap operas daily from noon until three o’clock. If one of my daughters happened to wake up before the last show was over I was perturbed and often let her stay in the crib until I was ready! It still hurts to confess this selfish old habit! Thankfully, I can say now, that for many years the desire to even have the TV on during the day is gone. However, I can’t say that about the computer. It’s time to repeat what I did years ago to break the soap opera addiction, this time it’s the computer!
During these Holy30 days God is calling me to limit my computer time to thirty minutes a day. The plan is to repeat how God broke years ago:
- Focus on my true love, talk to Him and listen for His voice. When I want to plop in front of the computer, instead do the next thing He tells me to do. The scripture used to break the Soap Opera addiction was, Philippians 4:8 “…whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things…and DO them!”
- Memorize 2 John 2:15. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world, if anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.” When tempted, repeat over and over as needed until temptation subsides.
- Ask my computer friend, who I chat with for hours each week, to hold me accountable.
During these Holy30 days I pledge to pray for you, Friend! Whatever God is speaking to you, listen and obey! None of us wants to hear these words from our loving Father, “Daughter, you got some ‘splainin’ to do!”
JULIE PAULSEN is a mom to three grown daughters and the grandma to 12, almost 13! For her “empty nest” years she has invested her time in serving as a MOPS mentor mom and is passionate about prayer, revival, and living out the Titus 2 mandate. You can read her blog at: Laughing At Winter.