Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

You know, Lord, a friend mentioned that she and several friends had a difficult time trying to go to sleep. Taking pills didn't help, neither did going to bed early or working late. "J.J." smiled and said, "You wanna hear how I do it?" Of course, they wanted to hear.  She mentioned that she'd read somewhere about reciting the alphabet - like what? So, struggling with some depression, she thought she would give that a try. But - what was it she was going to alphabetize; she tried naming some family and friends and that did seem to help a few nights but then she thought about a trip she had recently taken and knowing that the ABC method actually did give her a different mindset, she thought to give that a try.

Her friends, thoughtfully sitting, waited to hear, she said, "You know, I go through the alphabet, praying my gratitude for a blessing that starts with each letter. But most nights I don't even get through the whole alphabet."

"Give us an example," "H. B." said.

They all leaned on the table, waiting.

"OK, here goes," J.J. said. "I thank You Lord for another day to spend with my loved ones, for the beauty of the sunset, and for my cats ... ," And she paused and grinned at them.

"OH! I could add to that," "N.I." commented, "How about, 'Thank you for my dad, who got Mom a new electric stove, and fluffed up the rugs in the living room.' I could go on but I think I've gotten the picture."

"You know what?" J.J. commented, "This helps end my day on a happy note of prayer and allows me to sleep better. I hope it helps you girls, too."

Thank you, Lord; help us remember Romans 12:12, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer."

Love, Mara