When I was jolted awake with what sounded like gunfire this morning, I had to have a conscious thought before coffee. This is not nearly as easy as it may sound.   I had to realize by the sounds, lightning and our beagle’s behavior that it was just a terrible storm outside.  I whispered “Okay, Lord, please don’t let me be evil today.”

The truth is that I am like every other human I know.  I have my own specific set of challenges in keeping grounded.  One, I have teenagers.   In and of itself, that is enough to create some chaos.  I haven’t slept well this past week, nor do I tend to sleep as much as I probably should, in general.  However,  my biggest issue is that I am 48, menopausal and an overly enthusiastic bundle of insane hormones.  All comfort, strength and peace is a direct result of my relationship with Jesus.  I would be a crazy person without God and The Bible.

After getting breakfast ready for our guests at home, I headed to our front porch with my coffee and my Bible.  I sat down in the rocking chair which was dry and flipped open to Titus 1:8, “Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.”  I continued on and read through 1:18, studying all the notes about Paul and the reminder of how God forgets our iniquities.

It is just like Jesus to hang with me on our front porch and to guide me to a better way of thinking.  I considered the study notes regarding how conduct speaks volumes about what we believe.  Jesus basically held my hand and said, “trust me, when others look at you, they see the difference I’ve made in your life.” Bottom line, what “they” think is irrelevant, as long as I am living my life according to His will.

Create in me a clean heart, Oh, God!!    Please, Jesus, help me keep my heart as pure as possible.  As I read Titus 1:15, “To the pure,all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure,” I smiled.    I thought about people in the past, like Anne Frank, who could always see something good around them.  I thought about people in my life today who always bring positive and loving thoughts to mind.   I considered myself, past, present and future; I considered myself blessed to be among those who do strive to see the good in the world.

Thank you, God, for my optimistic heart.  Thank you, Jesus, for Calvary and for giving me another day to feel washed clean by your blood.  I pray I serve you well today.