Today is day 10 of my 40 days - 40 carbs - 40 prayers.

Weight: 163 pounds
BFI: 28.0%

Yesterday I received a most interesting email. It contained in it a prayer that was forwarded to me and that I was to forward on to others. Now I must confess that I do not read forwards as a rule, but for some reason I read this one. Inside it I read a line that had a most profound impact on my way of thinking and my search for wisdom. "Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from you."

The idea that I cannot hear God's will, because I am not listening had occurred to me, but the idea that I couldn't hear him for all the worry that clouds my mind was new. I have been so busy worrying about all the details of my near future that I did not allow my Father to speak to me. It's like trying to have a conversation with someone that talks too much. My Father couldn't get a word in edgewise. I was so busy praying and doing all the talking that I spared not a moment to listen.

So I am going to take my mind off of worry for the rest of the week and focus on doing God's work. This morning I am going to visit my dear friend at summer school, and spend some time with the kids I have been teaching for the last two years. This evening it is off to Woman's Bible Study with another friend. Thursday, Friday and Saturday I have volunteered to work on the church's clean slate project. Clean slate is like extreme home make-over, but done locally by our church.

None of these things will make me any money or put me any closer to the financial goal I have set before I move. However, all of these things are acts of service. God wants me to serve others. I am to get out of bed each day, and hear the devil say, "Darn, she's up again." I am to strive everyday to give of myself to others.

I am sorry to admit that for the last week I have been about the business of serving myself and my own gain. I have kept my budget open on my computer constantly inspecting it to make sure the money will be in place, and working on-line marketing ventures to fill in the gaps. This process has kept me isolated from the body of Christ, and serving only myself. So for the rest of this week I will do God's work, and trust that the bottom line will balance when the time comes.

"Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude."