Pocket Full of Candy



image courtesy photobucket.com



This story is a re-post, because Billy’s awesome story reminded me of my Dad and I thought you would enjoy how Dad give up cigarettes.  Please follow this link for Billy’s amazing story of giving up his poison. http://www.billycoffey.com/2011/10/picking-your-poison/

Also my husband's blog has an interesting post today on Food.  View him at: http://musingsbyrobert.blogspot.com/

Pocket Full of Candy

My Dad’s favorite place to hide and smoke was under the back porch! He was only nine years old then, but continued to smoke most of his adult life.

A person doesn’t develop a habit from smoking one or two cigarettes! It is continual repetition that trains the mind to call out, “I must have another cigarette.” In no time at all, bondage occurs and smoking becomes a strong addiction.

As a child, I can remember our house filled with smoke and my eyes burning, and I told myself, “I will never marry a man who smokes!”

Years later, my dad contracted a terrible case of Pneumonia. When he could not walk from one room to the next for lack of breath, his thoughts were that he was not long for this world.

My brother, Allen, came to visit him, and they discussed his smoking. My Dad declared that he was ready to give up cigarettes. Allen laid his hands on Daddy’s chest and prayed a strong, powerful prayer for deliverance from the infection, and also from cigarettes.

Almost immediately there was a change in our dad’s breathing and he was able to get up and take a few steps. Daily strength was gained as his solid determination to stay free from tobacco also grew.

Amazingly, the desire for cigarettes had left him, but another interesting phenomenon lingered. His hand automatically reached into the pocket where his pack of cigarettes had been kept. Apparently his hand was still in bondage to the habit of reaching!

Since my dad was a thinker, he arrived at a solution that worked for him. He chose to keep small candies in his shirt pocket so that when his hand wanted to reach for a cigarette there was a sweet substitute for him to enjoy instead.

Often, his pocket filled with small kisses, Dad delighted in sharing these candies with the children at church. Usually he would also offer a kind word, and our children remember feeling so special for Grandpa’s “sweet” attention and encouraging words.

Let me I urge you not to fall back into old ways. Don’t go back to that from which you have been set free! Do not be like the dog who returns to his vomit, but keep yourself free and clean.

Many have employed various methods to enable themselves to break certain habits. That is only half the battle!  Determination and a new direction are needed!

How does this occur? You will need to reach for God’s Word and put it in your mouth!    Then share your victory with others.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Do hop on over to her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

and also linked to Laura's Brag on God on Friday at: 

http://www.beholdingglory.com/1/post/2011/10/brag-on-god-friday15.html