07.02.23. Keeping A Promise

23. KEEPING A PROMISE

Todd saddled his horse one morning and was just starting to ride away when his father called to him. He rode up to the gate and his father put his hand on his knee saying, "Son, cigarettes are killing you; you cough all night long, and the way you are living is breaking your mother’s heart," and as the tears ran down his face he continued, "It hurts me also, and I want you to promise me that for mother’s sake and mine, you will quit and live differently." Todd leaned over in his saddle and giving him his hand said, "Father, I will try, I’ll do my best, and if I can’t quit I will come and tell you," and rode away. For two days he fought the appetite in his life and the hell in his heart and then he rode back home and going up to his father he said, "Father, I can’t do it." He wanted to, but sin had so wrapped its slimy folds about his young life he was unable in his own strength to break them.