Say No To Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs
When I was a young girl, I made a decision that I would never put alcohol, tobacco or drugs in my body. It has been a decision that I have stuck to diligently. My Sunday school teacher challenged me at a young age to make this decision, and I am forever grateful for the impact it has made in my life. My life has been changed for the better. My children have a great example to follow. The children I taught at school have a solid role model that they can look to.
In fifth grade, when some of my friends and schoolmates started using drugs and asking me to use them, I didn’t even have to think about the answer. The decision had already been made so strongly that I knew I didn’t want to participate. I pled with them not to use the drugs and told them it was a really stupid thing to do. Some of them listened to me and didn’t do the drugs. I gave them the strength to say no, too.
Later, in high school, a new boy at school asked me if I wanted to go to a “kegger”. Another boy leaned over to him and told him, “She doesn’t drink”. Upon thinking about it, I realized that my reputation for choosing the right had helped me avoid the invitations altogether. I hadn’t been invited to smoke, drink, or do drugs because people knew my answer would be no. They knew because I didn’t swear, use the Lord’s name, or dress immodestly. They knew because of my choice of friends and activities. Kids talk, and word spreads about what people do, and in this case, what people don’t do.
Because I had decided at such a young age to avoid these things, I haven’t really ever been tempted by them. Hopefully, my children have made the same decision early in their lives to avoid drugs, alcohol, and tobacco as well. This could be the thing that helps them to avoid the alcoholic tendencies that run in my family. Who knows whether I could have been an alcoholic if I had even tasted alcohol one time. And, who knows if I would have been addicted to drugs and tobacco had I tried them. It’s not hard to live without something you have never tried. I’ve never craved a cigarette or a beer. I’ve never looked for a way to get high.
When I taught school, I told the students that I had never had a drink or done drugs or tobacco. They thought that was impossible. Hopefully this new idea to them will give them strength to make similar decisions.
Just wasting some time on Digg and I found your article . Not typically what I like to learn about, but it was certainly worth my time. Thanks.
Well, thanks for stopping and commenting. I appreciate your input.