LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION...

This line in the Lord's Prayer has taken a personal meaning for me...

this is not based on exegesis
nor is based on theological reflection
but personal...
based on my current experience.

While riding the jeep from a meeting, I whispered a prayer... and I was even surprised that the prayer went, Lord, lead me not to temptation..."

The temptation is not even sinful...
A possible writing project...
A possible teaching post...
A possible further study opportunity.

The temptation really is in accepting opportunities out of financial need instead of really doing the Will of God in my personal life and ministry calling.  It's the temptation to address the need of the family over the struggle to do God's Will...
It's being tempted to prioritize family over call at which one or the other is sacrificed.

Lead me not to temptation...

This line is preceded by "and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors..."

I loaned some moneys to some friends...
To one, I lent to him what should be payment for the children's books because that time he needed money for his mother's hospitalization.  I trusted his goodness and that he understands our own financial limitations. But at that time he needed the money while the textbooks can be paid much later.

But now, it is enrollment and we need to pay our dues before we can enroll our children.
I asked my husband to collect what we lent our friend...

I also lent money to a friend to help her in her medical and family needs.

Whatever we can loan has been used because of the tragedies that struck our family: Yolanda, the hospitalization and subsequent death of the husband of Ruel's sister, the hospitalization and subsequent death of Ruel's father.

Now I am in my last thousand...

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors...

If I am unable to do this... I will indeed be tempted to forgo God's Will.

When I lent our moneys, I trust that that was God's Will trusting too that God will supply our needs according to His riches... in the right time.

Now, I am tempted to work things out to meet our needs instead of waiting for God to supply our needs.

And so I pray

Lead me not into temptation... which means,

Lord let me trust you more to supply the needs according to your riches and right timing.  Let me wait for you. Don't let me act impulsively simply because I have gotten desperate. Increase my faith in you. Amen.