A String Around Your Finger

WK9Day2
A String Around Your Finger

Deut 6:8-9 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.

Sometimes, when I decide to fast for a day, I’ll catch myself eating lunch and then mid mouth full—I remember, “Oh! I’m supposed to be fasting today.”

Or, I decide in the morning to live with peace and thoughtfulness, and then, in the afternoon, suddenly, I’m looking down from the ceiling wondering at the mad man who is losing his temper over something better overlooked.

So, GOD says, wear things on your body and put messages on the place where you work and live to remind you of your resolution. Sometimes, even in remembering, I’ll still do the thing I know to not be best for me; but, often, just the remembering is enough to slow me down to take the happier and healthier path.

So, now when I decide to fast, I’ll put on a ring, a bracelet, or a necklace to remind me of the resolution to do or not do a certain thing. I’ve even done the proverbial, “tie a string around my finger” except I usually tie it around my wrist or ankle so it’s less noticeable and only cut it off when I break the fast or skip the walk or whatever other resolution I’ve made (since I’m never perfect, but the reminder makes me better).

One purpose of the wedding ring is exactly as described in Deuteronomy–to remind us and others of promises made.

Things like the Ora Ring and the iWatch can serve as a modern version of Deuteronomy 6:8-9.

The thing to do: What’s the resolution or practice you’d like to make? Now, tie a string, or take out an old ring or necklace, make the vow to go the week without the offending food (now throw it out of your house); or, make the vow to walk 3 miles every day; or, whatever the easiest keystone habit you can think of—make that vow.

Now, wear the string or the ring or keep track on the iWatch (the built-in walking tracker works great).

Hope this helps.