9.22.14

When I was a little girl, ten or eleven years old - I used to pray for my dad to stop smoking.  I did this every night for about a year.  I didn't really understand who God was at the time - He was some all-mighty being I learned about on Sundays.  But, I knew He listened to prayers because my pastor had told me so.  With the hope that He'd hear my most important prayer - I dedicated myself to becoming my dad's personal prayer warrior.

But, a year passed by and my dad was still smoking.  So, one night I kneeled next to my bed like I always did - but, this time my prayer was a little different.  Instead of proclaiming my love, I told God I wasn't going to believe in Him anymore because my dad was still smoking.  Instead of thanking Him for giving me life, I told Him I didn't think He was listening and accused Him of not caring about me or my dad.  From that day forward, I stopped praying before meals and stopped praying before going to bed.  That was the day I decided to forget about God.  Coincidentally, my family stopped attending church shortly after.

So, why am I sharing this long-winded story with you?

My dad decided to stop smoking last Monday. Tomorrow marks his first week without smoking a single cigarette.  He buys Ice Breaker mints instead.  Do you know how crazy this is??  My dad has been smoking for 30+ years, well before I was even inside my mom's womb.

Am I afraid he might fall back into his old ways?  Yes.  But, I have hope because of Him.