"Best Intentions"

 "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." (Ecclesiastes 5:5 KJV)

  "Don't trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost." (Proverbs 20:25 NLT)

 Something to think about, on so many different levels! Simply put, a vow is a promise, which basically means that you have committed yourself to do something, whether it is to pay for something, or to care for someone; either way, it is the moment you make the vow, which is when you have counted the cost, not later, discovering that it is more than you can handle! 

 If it doesn't seem as though you can handle it, then it shouldn't have been promised! However, if you want to do your best and handle whatever might become overwhelming, even if you fail, you must keep your promise, to the best of your ability, whatever the cost! 

 I know it sounds a little complicated, but love is the most important motivation in any vow; not what is in it for you, or even that the vow is made to make someone happy. Your best intentions need to be about what you do, as if that were done for you! 

 As far as God is concerned, He already knows what is in your heart; anything you do that doesn't honor your vow to God, it doesn't hurt Him, it is all going to hurt you! You will be ashamed for what you have done; but God knew along that you didn't have it in you, because He sees everything, especially the full condition of our hearts. 

 God does not give you something to do that is more than you can handle; however, He will give you something to do, that will require His help...

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13 NLT)