1. 
   

                           GOD’S PERFECT SOLUTION 
                                                                  G.P.S
      
     It's not that I'm undisciplined - just the opposite - I'm habitually task oriented, and often won't budge from my daily, self-imposed schedule: wake up at 4 or 5, hopefully 6 a.m., hearing Thomas, my cat, purring in my ear, “Get up! Feed me!” and Jack, my black Lab, - 80 pounds of drooling and wagging delight - bounds onto the bed, now that I’m finally awake. 
     I roll out of bed, potty stop, a quick glance in the mirror, 

reminding myself the dog or cat don't care that I look like I've been run over by a semi during the night. Quick comb through, and onto my early morning rounds: feed dog and cat; heat up day old coffee, or make new; let dog and cat out; sideways glance at my Prayer Chair in the corner as I open fridge for yogurt breakfast with granola sprinkles. I let dog and cat back in before Thomas scratches the screen to shreds, or Jack howls and wakes the neighbors. 
     Thus begins my day.

      I sit at my desk and open the laptop to Yahoo emails, which contains a daily reading of Christian Broadcast Network - C.B.N. -devotionals. Some mornings I take a detour before I arrive at C.B.N.  and check FOX news first, then Facebook while munching my not-so-creative breakfast. Before I know it, time passes quickly from 6 to 8 a.m. and I'm still giving the Prayer Chair in the corner sideways glances (with Bible nearby and study books alongside). 

       "Something's off," warning signs flash with growing urgency. The daily news makes me sad/angry/disgruntled/frightened ... yet I’m drawn to that which brings me intense distress – like a bug about to be splattered on a windshield. Decidedly, something is missing. I glance at my Prayer Chair in the corner. The Good News is within reach, yet I've taken detours and parked God on a side road until I travel through world news, Facebook, Yahoo emails and a rabbit-trail of other diversions. The clock in the lower right corner on the laptop tells me it's time to get on with my day. A sideways glance at the Bible and study books on the table next to my Prayer Chair. – like a billboard alongside the road – draws me back to my emails. 
      I click on today’s email from C.B.N.’s inspirational moment: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.” John 14:6. G.P.S.– “God’s Perfect Solution” - is set on cruise control as I sit back and take in the lush scenery of God’s Word. Taking short cuts, with a high chance of getting lost without engaging my G.P.S. to start my day, is as empty as driving for miles after I see the fuel light flash; warning that my gas tank is nearly depleted. A depleted supply of 'fuel' can’t see me through the trials, disruptions, joys and hazards along the way. His road map, G.P.S., helps me bypass the early morning hazards and disruptions, and steer directly toward the Filling Station in the corner. 
     Fill 'er up! Oh wait! This is a state where I have to "fill 'er up" myself. It's Self- Serve!
     Good morning, God. Thanks for being my Pilot and taking the wheel. I promise to navigate toward the Prayer Chair in the corner before setting out on each daily voyage. Buckle up, Monica, you’re going for a ride!