Addicted to Jesus

Alyssa--1996

Today’s verse: “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8

When Alyssa was little she had a desperate addiction to her binky…or should I say “binkies”. It began the day after she was born, and continued on until her 3rd birthday, when we wrapped them up in a pretty package and mailed them off to some other baby who needed them.

Often Alyssa would have more than one binky in her possession at any one given time. One in her mouth, and one in her hand, ready for a swap when the one in her mouth became to “warm”. Alyssa even had them named. There was “cow binky”, “train binky”, and “pink binky” and one of them was always close by. The comfort they gave when she was tired or hurt is immeasurable, and breaking the addiction was long and torturous. For her, and for me!

Though the binky was a non-life threatening thing that brought comfort when the kids were little (Kyle had an addiction as well), there will be other things that they may look to in their lives, as they get older, to give comfort or fill the deeper needs in their souls. They could look to big things like drugs, alcohol, gambling, or pornography…or even things as “simple” as food or shopping. Addictions can be easily formed to many things, as they look for happiness, peace, or contentment.

I pray that my children’s only addiction in life is God. God is truly the only answer! He is the only one who can give true happiness. He is the only one to fill every empty space. He alone can meet our every need. May He be their addiction of choice!

Lord, you are the Filler of all our needs. You fill all the empty spaces of our hearts. I pray, Father, that my kids will never look to other things to replace what only you can do. Where they need to feel love, peace, comfort, and pleasure, may they look to you. I pray that they never grab onto anything that is harmful in their lives, and expect it to bring happiness. Protect them from the pressure of smoking, drinking, drugs, pornography, gambling…all those things that can easily become dangerous addictions, and cause harm in their lives. When/if they are tempted, may you give them the power to say “no”, and help them fix their eyes on you.