SELF CONTROL IS KEY

Adesegun Adefeyintola

SAFACS 2023 ENTRY 2

I stared at the bag of cookies so much that I salivated and cautioned myself "Kate do not touch it, you have promised Father."

It was very hard because they are my favorite cookies "Danish Cookies". Father came home from work and brought the cookies, and offered them to me while asking that I promise not to eat them until the next day.

The next day, I went out to play with my friends after lunch, but my mind still kept straying back to them from time to time.

" Kate! Come inside" Mum called, I went around doing my chores in preparation for dinner and took a sneak peek at the cookie again.

Mum prepared Chicken curry soup. We said our prayers and settled down to eat while waiting for Dad to arrive from work. It was not quite long as I was washing the plates in the kitchen when I heard Dad's car in the driveway making me hurriedly finish up and run to meet him

" Daddy!! Welcome back" I said.

" Thank you, Kate. I'm glad to see you, where is mum?" he answered while enveloping me in a hug and we walked into the house.

He spoke to Mum and went upstairs to freshen up before coming down to eat his dinner, we chatted some more then went to bed.

" Go take the cookies, there are just 2 hours left till the next day" the voice whispered.

It waged a war in my head as I constantly denied doing its will saying

" I will hold on, it is almost the next day" but I felt myself losing the will as the yearning grew, and I found myself going down the stairs and opening the cupboard stretching my hand to pick it up.

I suddenly looked up and something struck my heart, making me retrace my steps back to my room and go down on my knees to pray

" Dear lord, forgive me for almost committing and giving me the strength to withstand" and went to bed.

The next day, I came down to meet my parents in the kitchen. I greeted them as my father hugged and showered praises on me as I drew closer which got me confused. " What was going on, is there any problem?" I asked.

" I am thankful for you for obeying and having self-control, I watched you last night in the kitchen and saw that you almost took the cookie but changed your mind" he replied, due to that you have earned your reward in my sight as he went on to bring out the rest of the cookie bags and handed it over to me.

I rejoiced throughout the day enjoying my bag of cookies and gave thanks to God for patience else I would have lost the reward.

James 1:12- Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.