“Like the exotic cars we saw at Barrett-Jackson, I need fine tuning and polishing every day.”

“Anger and hate are forms of self-will that take up room in our heart. Yet a still, small voice inside of us wants to forgive. Just as others have forgiven us, we need to forgive them. When we forgive, we give our will to our Higher Power. When we forgive, we make room in our heart for our Higher Power to fill it with love. By giving up our anger and our hate, we let that still, small voice come through a little louder. This is how we let go and heal. Higher Power, help me let go of self-will rooted in anger and hate. Help me forgive; take all the anger I am harboring and replace it with understanding and love.”

If I find answering that question difficult or painful, perhaps I’m taking myself too seriously – and finding it difficult to admit that I’ve strayed from the forgiveness, grace and love of my connection with God. Perhaps the pain I experience is one way to get my attention, coaxing me to take stock of my spiritual connection. The slight time and effort it takes – a spot-check inventory, calling a friend, making amends, replacing my anger with love – all these actions are well worth the effort to deepen my relationship with God and to enjoy new life with purpose and fun.”

“I believe that God has all power. It is His to give and His to withhold. But He will not withhold it from the person who dwells near Him. I will learn to live in God's presence and then I will have those things of Him: strength, power, and joy. God's power is available to all who need it and are willing to accept it. Today, I pray that I may get myself out of the way, so that God's power may flow in. I pray that I may surrender myself to that power.”