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-->I gave IN to the temptation…
She was like an angel coming toward me, even her eyes were smiling. Her soft voice, her enthusiastic walk, her confidence…it was just too much! She said her name was Sophia, (meaning wisdom). Here’s how it all led up.
It was last month, February, the love month, and I was away for two days. I and three friends went for dinner at S.K.O.B (Siesta Key Oyster Bar). I passed through the deck where I asked to be seated, the live band played southern rock, the stars were bright, the warm salt breeze from the ocean made the atmosphere perfect.
Every table was enjoying raw oysters. I gave them up years ago. It was John Stossel of ABC’s 20/20 that put me on the wagon. He told stories of people becoming vegetables or dying. I wanted to see my kids grow up, so I quit.
I looked at the menu and planned to order the grouper sandwhich, and then it happened. Sophia appeared. My friends ordered and then she asked me. I stared into her eyes and tried to say “grouper”, but it came out, “two dozen raw oysters.” (Who said that? I was overtaken!)
In a matter of minutes I was off the wagon. My friends had never tasted oysters before so the temptation got them too! I tempted them, they tasted, and then they were ordering their own.
Funny how temptation is. So many things contribute to it. I like it when I’m tempted to do good things like make that call, write that note, encourage or pray for that person, give generously, ect. Those are the moments.
I picked up the tab when we were leaving. I could see that one of my friends was tempted to do it, but he was able to resist.
What I learned is what I once heard a preacher say, “Temptation is all around us.” He was right, but some temptations may lead to pearls or other good things, so be alert.