Bye Bye Binkie

The other day, Kyrsten decided that she didn't need her binkie during her nap (she is only allowed to have it when she sleeps). She's almost 3 now, and we have been telling her that she can transition to her "big girl" bed once she gets rid of her binkie. As a token of our firm belief in her ability to change, Cheryl put her in her new bed and closed the door. It was quiet for while. It almost seemed too good to be true and then...Cheryl heard something. It was Kyrsten. She hadn't fallen asleep. Needless to say, the rest of the day was pretty rough! Anyone ever deal with a cranky toddler?

That night, I asked Kyrsten why she didn't want to sleep in her big girl bed. Without hesitation, and with the sweetest little voice, she said, "I like my binkie." Let's face it. Bad habits are hard to break!

All of this got me thinking about the unhealthy practices that plague so many of our own lives. In a way, many of us have a hard time saying goodbye to our "binkies". While some of our "binkies" are seemingly harmless, others can explode into life-altering addictions. In either case, we often hang on to them because, although they are negatively affecting our lives, they bring us comfort in some unexplainable way.

So how do we say bye bye to our binkies? I have found that freedom comes when our willingness to be free exceeds our desire for the pleasure our habit brings. Take a look today at your own life. Is there anything you need to pull the plug on? If so, call out to God. He's the life-changer. With His help we can grow up in the faith and rid ourselves of the sin that so easily entangles us.

As for Kyrsten, it won't be long and we'll hear her say "Bye bye binkie!" What a day that will be!