BY NOELENE JOHNSSON, director of children's ministries for the North American Division

rom childhood I have known that things go better when I start the day with personal prayer and Bible reading. And from time to time I would remember to do my devotions every day for maybe two weeks--once or twice for three. By the end of three weeks I felt button-bursting good--"I can walk on water!" But then I would wake up two weeks later unable to remember when I last had my morning devotions.

And so one night in my early 40s (I'm embarrassed that it took me so long to finally get it!) I faced the failure in my devotional life. If I had not mastered this in 40 years, obviously I was never going to. In despair I told God, "I can't do this."

At that moment I remembered the words of a woman testifying that when she turned a personal problem over to God, He changed her life. I could also hear my mother's advice: "Let go and let God." So I did; it was my only hope. I prayed: "God, I can't do this. I am turning it over to You. Please make my first thoughts in the morning those of You. And I promise to act on the impulse."

I expected God to answer this request--in maybe a week. So I was startled when He woke me the very next morning with a song in my heart and a desire to walk with Him. I have enjoyed a steady devotional life ever since. The joy of that answered prayer is with me yet.