I remember my Catechism classes often mentioned temptation. We had the picture of the snake wrapped around the Tree of Life on the wall, tempting Eve who then turned around with an apple pie and tempted Adam. Of course, like many men he couldn’t resist a piece of pie and the rest is history. Temptation, we were taught is the thing of the devil and must be avoided at all costs—or we would be sorry. But is that true? In my life, I’ve given in to temptation lots and been happy about it. I believe that temptation isn’t always a bad thing. Am I wrong? Do the women on the Titanic regret not giving in to the temptation of that French pastry after dinner? I’ll bet they do, and really where was the harm, in the overall scheme of things?
Temptation, like many things in life is a balance. Of course none of us wants to “give in” to serious temptation—we don’t want to kill or harm anyone, steal, lie if it will hurt another, or any of those kinds of things. There lies a problem because often, we don’t know if what we want to do will cause harm to someone else. You want to go out partying and then drive home? You could end up killing someone in an accident, though when you gave in to the temptation of having that extra tequila, killing someone wasn’t your intention. And that’s why I think accepting the temptation of doing something requires thought. Reason, not emotion.
Hubby went to two different military schools—a high school and college. He maintains that the first thing to do is read the rule books thoroughly, so you knew what the rule was and the penalty for breaking it. Then you could decide if the punishment was worth the joy of breaking the rule. He never did anything that made someone else get into trouble–though he did sometimes join someone else if he liked what they proposed and could march the penalty tours. He actually did quite a bit of marching, but most always he decided ahead of time that doing so was his decision to make. He wasn’t an emotional rule breaker, he carefully considered what he wanted and what he was willing to pay for it. Had Jack been in the Garden of Eden, he would have baked the pie, eaten it himself and not gotten Eve involved. And he certainly would have had some chocolate confection while on the Titanic.
Put in our terms, we’re all acquainted with what is generally accepted by publishers and editors. If we want to write a first person POV novel but obey the rules by not writing in first person and we are accepted by an agent, then avoiding that temptation was a good thing. If we give in to the temptation of writing in first person and are not accepted, then at least we knew the penalty of being a free spirit. But what if we give in and are then accepted by an agent, and are published and become a NYT best selling author? Then breaking the rules paid off.
So is temptation a good thing or a bad thing? I maintain, if
you’re rational about it, it’s a relative thing. Accepted after weighing the negative and positive sides, temptation is not always a bad thing. And it can be fun!
Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.
Dee
One Woman Only: The Good Man Series, Book 2 Jonah’s story! Can a simple mechanic rekindle with his high school love? She says no, but Jonah loves a challenge!
Here’s a very small reason to be thankful: if you are reading this, you either own or you have access to a computer and the Internet, one of the most powerful forces on earth. With the Internet, you can change your life—find a job, find a wife (or husband), shop for a new dress or a new car, check the news, check the stock market—virtually (literally) anything you want.
we like, live where we like (for the most part). In the States (unless you’re on a college campus), you can speak your mind, vote for the candidate of your choice, attend church where you want. Here we live in a vertical society, where—again, with hard work—we can rise in the world “above our station.” We aren’t restricted to a class. If we aspire to become billionaires, we have the opportunity—and lots of us have succeeded.
Each and every day brings new reasons to give thanks. I don’t have a hard time finding them, whether it’s the beauty of a field of golden wheat or a star shooting across the heavens or rolling over in bed to snuggle up to my special person. I hope you find thousands of reasons to be thankful, too, not only in this season but all year long.
As water witch Roane Donnelly faces the biggest challenge of her life, she is unprepared for a man who brings the promise of heartache. Conal Ferguson follows the seven tears to find the sad, lonely woman that will be his. As the ocean water freezes, Conal’s secret brings them together, but will it ultimately tear them apart?
ever wanted. Jesse Thorn has left all he knows behind, disappearing from his world to spare his people all-out war. Yet, when he finds Hailey and they collaborate during a crisis, their true natures are revealed. But is there more here than meets the eye?
Flannery Bishop’s fire ability can certainly warm things up for the Forget-Me-Not community, but she could use a little help. Drayce Olden is a dragon shifter that has undergone the mate quest, a strenuous test of courage and endurance to assure only the strongest survive. Together, fire witch and dragon forge an unbreakable bond of love until a secret from Flannery’s childhood threatens to tear her newfound happiness apart.
Joseph
people I love that I love, too. So, unless my mom asked for a puce-colored sweater where the sleeves hung over her hands and the hem reached her knees, I gave her a sweater I would like to wear myself. I gave a gift that would mean something to me if I received it.
gift of all. Lending a helping hand when you see it’s needed, thanking a serviceman or woman, or police officer for their service, or saying a kind word are all ways that make the recipient warm inside, and they cost nothing. My mom was always (and fortunately for me, still is) always ready with a hug or encouragement. Always willing to jump in and give me whatever it is I need.
year, but she doesn’t tithe to her church, as such. She tithes in kind, by giving to two particular charities: one is an Indian school in South Dakota. She and my aunt send books and school supplies during the year and all kinds of gloves, scarves and hats in the winter. They buy travel size personal items and small teddy bears and package them to give to women’s shelters. When women escape horrible situations at home, they leave with just what they have on, and they need more, so Mom and my aunt help provide those things.
on earth, with loved ones or even those we don’t know, like folks at a nursing home or hospital, is not infinite. Once a day is gone it never comes again. I live too far from Mom to see her often, but we talk weekly and when we do have time together, we cherish it. Time and love are the two greatest gifts!
Brenda Pearson’s first book was published in 2016. Brenda was born Eastern Township of Quebec, Canada but has since been happily living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There she enjoys the salty air, the wildlife, and the warmth and kindness of Nova Scotians. She hopes to retire one day and write full time in her peaceful surrounding. Brenda enjoys writing, reading and golfing and spend quality time with her dog Molly and her partner Derek.
Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her works. She is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories for both children and adults. She subtly weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of her stories, including courage, kindness, perseverance, friendship, appreciation of nature, and the importance of pet rescue and adoption. Her first novel, a clean, contemporary pet rescue romance titled