SELF CONTROL – DEVOTIONAL
Howdy Friends! Grandpop met the boy halfway to the porch. “Ya stayin’ a while?” He asked.
“I guess the weekend.” The boy’s voice rang with hesitation.
“Well good, we have about 20 acres ta bale.” He ruffled the lad’s hair. “That’ll keep us outa trouble. Let’s go gas up the ol’ tractor and see if we have any baling twine.”
It took a little time to crank the big red tractor’s tank full. The old crank pump was worn out years ago and was stiff to turn, so Grandpop assigned the boy to the cranking while he checked air in the tires and engine oil.
“Finally full!” The boy announced. “I thought my arm would fall of!”
“I’m happy ta hear it didn’t.” Grandpop let go a full laugh. “What would yer father say if I sent ya home one armed!”
“He’d probably blame it on me somehow.” The boy put the cap on the fuel tank and climbed down from the fender. “He’s always saying I don’t have any self control. That I act before I think, and don’t consider the consequences of my actions, and stuff like that.”
“Funny thing, I seem ta remember tellin’ him about the same thing when he was around yer age.” He sent a grin. “Kinda nice ta find out he heard me.”
They hooked the baler to the tractor, then hooked a wagon to the baler. “Reckon we’re ready ta go young feller.” He gave the boy a devilish look. “Ya wanna drive this rig to the field?”
“Really?
“Yeah, just remember all them talkin’s about self control and don’t get carried away an run us down any cliffs.” He thought about adding a word about the consequences of flipping the tractor, but decided to keep that for when they started baling.
The boy beat the old man to the tractor by a full minute.
“Come on ‘Old Timer’ you’re wastin’ daylight!” The tractor roared to life.
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Bible Verse – Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
Bible Verse – Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Bible Verse – Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Bible Verse – 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear…”
Bible Verse – Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
