This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

MY beagle, Shelby, is always eager to get the day started. Most mornings before the sun has fully risen, we are out of the house and exploring the neighborhood. Shelby is on one end of the leash, charging forward, and I am on the other end, trying to keep pace.

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands." 2 John 1:6 A (NIV)

Is there a summer camp for kids destined to become lawyers? If so, I'm ready to sign my daughter up. No, I'm kidding. I love her dearly but she can wear me out with all her questions and challenges. She is a pre-teen now but this started years ago.

About the time she turned four, she had been out past bedtime at an event with her father. She's an extrovert so being out late around lots of other people had her really wound up and talking non-stop on the way home. The more she talked, the more animated she became. Finally my husband said, "No more words, honey, we're going to be quiet for the rest of the ride home."

Finally, I prayed, "Lord, what should I do? I am tired of loved ones running away from me. Teach me to love myself so that I can love others." During my morning devotion, the spirit directed me to Matthew 22:34-40 with its admonition first to love God and then to love my neighbor as myself. The way to love myself suddenly became clear: begin by loving God first.

WHEN I was a freshman in college, I had a difficult time deciding on a major field of study. One day I went to talk to my economics professor, Dr. Gottfried, about my concerns and confusion. He sat quietly, listening to all I said. After I finished speaking, he leaned over his desk and simply said, "You know what your problem is, Nicole? You are trying to control your life; let God control it." I was shocked.

MY mother is 65 years old. Every day she bustles in and out of the house doing chores from washing to cleaning to mopping to cooking for the family. One day she accidentally dropped the blender while washing it, and the plastic container cracked. It could not be used anymore. I was angry with her because I use the blender every day.

HAVE you ever noticed how some people seem to stumble only momentarily when faced with problems, while others are completely overwhelmed? I think the difference in how we react to problems can be found in our perspective.

THESE are the most difficult days of my life. A terrible illness causes me great physical pain. I am near the end of my earthly journey, an event we all must face. In spite of my situation, a special strength sustains me. What I have not experienced, however, is fear.

A metronome is a device used by musicians to create a constant rhythm while they play or sing. Without this constancy, the music could become slow at the difficult parts and fast at the easier parts. The music would sound disjointed, and everyone would be out of sync.