The Power to Change

Habit: An acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.

When I was in high school, I was extremely sarcastic. I moved my senior year and my would-be best friend at my new school thought I was quite mean...until she got to know me and realized there was more to me than sarcasm. I graduated from high school and moved away to college at BYU. When I got there, I decided I could no longer be so sarcastic. I wanted people to know me for qualities other than sarcasm. So I decided to change my habits. It was surprisingly easy to make the change once I had put my mind to it. I still made the occasional sarcastic comment, but I even surprised myself at how much I could change this habit that was a part of my personality. That was my success story.

Overall, I am very content with my life. Rob and I have a wonderful marriage and are doing our best to raise our children. Life is hard at times, but it is a good life. As content as I am with my life, I know I could benefit from changing a few of my own habits. One of these involves parenting and the use of electronics...I'd like to give my kids more of my undivided attention. Rather than listening to their stories while doing our taxes or answering a text message while I'm watching their soccer games...I want to be their #1. Our parents weren't necessarily faced with this same ease of distraction. Distractions are EVERYWHERE. And they effect me (and incidentally my children) every single day. Another bad habit I've developed is turning to food (okay, chocolate) when I am stressed. I'd also like to focus more on all of the things my children do RIGHT instead of pointing out the things I'd like them to change. Lastly, I'd like to make exercising a good habit for me. I use my pains as an excuse (albeit a very good excuse) and have fallen into quite the sedentary life.

I set goals monthly, if not weekly and then life happens (illness, deadlines, traveling, etc) and I forget all about them.

I remember one other success story I'd like to share with you. When we were living in Seattle, my pains (from my last pregnancy) were so bad that I knew I needed to change my eating habits. I felt strongly that if I could eat healthier, my pains would lessen. The difference this time is that I prayed and fasted to ask God to help me overcome my bad habits and change. For months, I was able to eat healthy and my pains did lessen considerably. I know I succeeded because I had taken the right approach in asking for help.

In my New Testament class we have talked a lot about Saul/Paul. In Acts 8 we learn that Saul "made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison." He ripped parents away from their children, brothers away from brothers. He performed these acts with conviction and zeal, believing that Christians were wrong.

In Acts 9, Jesus himself appears to Saul and asks "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" I have wondered why Jesus chose Saul. Why choose someone that is so against the church? Was it because of his zealousness and conviction? Jesus knew that these traits could be used for good. Was it so that we could have an example and know that through Jesus, anyone can change? The Lord tells the disciples that Saul is now a "chosen vessel unto me." Beginning in Acts 13, Paul (Saul with a new name) sets out on mission after mission. He teaches and organizes the church in many cities. He performs miracles. He is stoned and revived. He truly is a chosen vessel.

I want to be a "chosen vessel" to the Lord. I don't necessarily want to travel and preach, nor do I want to get thrown in prison. But I want to act as the Lord's vessel in the way I interact with my children. His children, really. I want to act as the Lord's vessel in the way I take care of my body. I want to act as the Lord's vessel in the way that I treat other people.

I know that God has the power to change us. We need only ask for His help. Through the story of Saul, I've learned that God can turn my weaknesses into strengths. He can use my talents for good. He can help me change and that change can affect the people I love. I just need to remember in attempting to change my habits that I should first ask him what to change...and then ask for his help in changing those things.

With God, nothing is impossible.