Photo Credit: Buffalo Electronic Cigarettes
I see it all the time, and it usually makes me sad for the habit they have. You’ve most likely seen it too – a group of nicotine addicts gathered outside on a beautiful day to have their fix. It may be they’re facing a challenge and felt the need to smoke. It may be their regular coffee break where they choose to remove themselves from inside in order to enjoy a cigarette outside.
Smoking is bad for you. I get that. Being dependent on nicotine can be life-threatening. This is true.
So why do I envy smokers?
Simply because they have a habit of pulling themselves away for a short breaks throughout the day. Indoor smoking laws have caused them to go outside in order to pause and smoke.
Imagine if we were to have the same “habit” of seeking the Lord throughout the day? When the pressure builds and we sense anxiety, instead of grabbing a cancer stick, we grab hold of God by pulling away to pause, reflect and regroup.
Our post yesterday about stillness, made me notice two smokers outside our local convenience store in a completely different way. They were talking. They were enjoying the weather. And they were smiling.
Why not emulate the smokers by taking up a praying habit? Not one where you add it to your busy schedule, but one where you get up and walk outside for a few moments. You may find this is a habit you simply can’t kick! And who would want to?
Praying–unlike smoking–is good for your health!
The Romantic Vineyard 
My husband does this all the time at work. He walks around the lake they have and prays, sometimes a couple of times a day (depending on how his day is going). Great idea!
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Wow – Encourage him to continue. He may not even realize how you’ve noticed this little fact. What a blessing to have a praying husband!
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Great blog title, I was wondering where it would lead. As a young mother I did steal moments through the day whispering prayers after laying the baby down for a nap, during (my) potty breaks, later as they grew and left for the first time in the car, then as curfew was close and still no child home, when they graduated from high school and making plans for their lives, now as one is a newlywed and another to get married this summer.
Now as as I have the house to myself most of the day I still find I best communicate with God in short frequent visits. So glad he is available to listen at any time.
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Shawn, You have accurately described ALL the seasons of life and our need to pull away and pray to our Father. Thanks for sharing – I’m tracking right with you!
Debi
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As a smoker, I know that the breaks are the main reason I have found it hard to quit. I love your perspective. If I shift my view to spending those breaks with God, I bet I can quit in no time, but i won’t lose my breaks. I’ll just make them better.
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So glad this post offered a new perspective for you, Lindsey. Let us know how your “quitting” goes. Maybe we should call it a transfer rather than quitting!
Blessings,
Debi
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I haven’t worked in corporate America for a while (thankfully) but I know a lot of people who have started smoking just so they could take that break. Some companies don’t let you unless you are going out to smoke.
And no matter what the reason, it’s good to take pause on your day and just disconnect from whatever it is you are doing.
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How sad to think someone would start smoking in order to take an additional break from work. Imagine if employers would let us do this to pray! I wonder how it would effect corporate America.
Excellent point, Nicole!
Blessings,
Debi
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Nope. Not gonna do it. No way. No how. And, I don’t consider them for a minute (unless I can get them on the left wing of the airplanes during take-off)….
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I figured you’d reply as such, Roy. Great to hear from you! And I know what you mean about taking off on an airplane. I find myself praying really hard in those moments! I guess you could call me an addict! 🙂
Debi
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