"THE HOLE I KEEP FALLING IN"

This little story was from the first session of the Bible Study, "One in a Million" by Priscilla Shirer.  She quotes a lady named Portia Nelson in her own book "A Jewel in His Crown"

It goes something like this - - -

Chapter 1
"I walked down the street there is a deep hole in the sidewalk I fall in, I'm lost, I'm helpless, it's not my fault though, it takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 2
I walk down the same street there is a deep hole in the sidewalk; I pretend I don't see it; I fall in; I can't believe I am in the same place; but it's not my fault; it takes a LONG time to get out;

Chapter 3
I walk down the same street there is a deep hole in the sidewalk; I see it there I fall in; It is a habit my eyes are open I know where I am it is my fault; I get out immediately;

Chapter 4
I walk down the same street there is a deep hole in the sidewalk; I walk around it;

Chapter 5
I walk down a different street."

This narrative, although ever so simple; contained such a "life lesson."  I cannot do what I have always done and see different results.  There are many times in our lives that we just need to "walk down a different street."  We must make a conscious decision to avoid the "pit-falls" that have trapped us in the past... and avoid getting ourselves in those situations for "old habits" and "temptations" to consume us. 

"It's so easy to let life make a habit of us and we just go along."

Quote by Goldie Pack Gwinn

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