Checkmate

I was driving along, on my way to pick up my kids from school, heading straight to an appointment for one of them. It had been a pretty good day, I'd gotten up early, been pretty productive - including a short nap - but I was exhausted.... still recuperating from having worked ALL night long two nights in a row.

And, I.... WAS... CRAVING. Oh a cookie or something baked preferably. I knew I'd be having a "treat" at the bible study that night, so I was trying to avoid it mid-afternoon. But, as a crave will do, the more I seemed to try to talk it down, the louder it became.

Finally, I tried a different tactic. "Satan, Go Away!" Then, further.... "God, step between us. Protect me from this temptation..." The crave was gone, and I heard myself say aloud, "Checkmate!"

That thought carried me the rest of the way to the school: "Checkmate". Christ stepping in for me - protecting me, redeeming me.

We know the end of the story, too, so truly it is "checkmate". And then I wonder why I get engaged in these battles. Probably the same reason I let my children push my buttons. I forget that it is a choice and I know other options.

Surround me. Be with me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for winning the battle!

Help me remember the truth!

Checkmate, Satan!