.

"To belong wholly to God, say:  Adieu to all that is not of God."  St. Francis de Sales


Why is it so darn hard to say, "no"?

I am a big, tough, polish guy.
I can pound nails.
I can open a jar of pickles.
I can change the oil in my car.
I can lift my three year old with one hand.
I can bench press my weight (at least I used to be able to!).
I can butcher a chicken.
I can work 16 hour days.
I can play with my children after working 16 hour days.
I am a big, tough, guy, right?!

Then why, oh why, can't I say "no"?  Why is it so hard to say "no"?

Why is it so hard to say "no" to second helpings of my wife's cooking?
Why is it so hard to say "no" to watching an R-rated movie?
Why is it so hard to say "no" to laziness and pick up my prayer book?
Why is it so hard to say "no" to something my child should have or do?
Why is it so hard to say "no" to the pull of the world?
Why is it so hard to say "Adieu" to all that is not of God?

My guess is that I have not truly renounced the world, the flesh, and the devil, nor have I said an unequivocal "yes" to Christ yet.  I must make a choice, and unlike the Angelic spirits, I must make the choice daily, even hourly for Christ.  Which means I must continually say "Adieu" and "Good-bye" to all that is not of God.  If I consider myself a real Christian man, should this not be the norm?