BY KIMBERLY LUSTE MARAN

OR ME, TALKING AND SHARING WITH A best friend is a vital part of maintaining a sane existence in this hectic world. And when I have the perfect Best Friend, it is crucial that I keep my end of the relationship strong. This is done through committed communication--prayer and dedicated study.

I've already told you that my life is pretty hectic. I assume complete responsibility for supercharging my schedule with work, coaching, exercising (includes operating a recreational soccer team), attending graduate school, and managing the responsibilities of being one half of a married couple. I have made the choice to lead a fast-paced life. But I have also made the choice to include my Best Friend in everything. His inclusion in the mayhem starts each weekday morning with the shrill beep of my white plastic-covered Spartus alarm clock (OK, after a few pushes of the snooze button).

In the Morning Quiet
Before I rise, I talk to God. I would get up to do this, but any motion on the bed ensures that our 100-pound German shepherd (who sleeps on the floor at the foot of the bed) deems it time to leap upon me and smother me with wet, searching kisses. Trust me, after a good-morning greeting like that, the special, quiet moment of waking with God is ruined.

My conversation with God lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. After thanking Him for the previous night and for waking up, I continue with thanks for family and friends. I ask for His guidance for the day and especially mention certain family members. The list changes sometimes. After reminding Him that I need wisdom and strength, I tell Him that He and I will chat later.

During a few moments at work in the morning I read a short devotional. Sometimes it is from a devotional book; other times it is a chapter from a Christian tome. Past favorites include Max Lucado, C. S. Lewis, Charles Mills, Ellen G. White, and Karl Haffner. I plan to begin this year with James Coffin's One Thing I Know (and other stuff I Strongly Suspect) and Walking Through the Bible With H.M.S. Richards.

A quick prayer of thanks for the inspiration contained in the pages I've just read is typical. Then I get into my daily routine of checking e-mails, opening mail, writing and editing articles, and, of course, attending committee meetings. KidsView, marketing, art, covers, scheduling--these are just a few of the necessary sessions we squeeze into our days on a frequent basis.

Have a Good Night
The next part of my day begins as I rubberneck the way home through D.C. rush hour drudgery. (Remember my "chat later" message to God? That chatting, which has been going on much of the day, certainly comes in handy while sitting in traffic!) Upon arriving home, I breath a quick prayer of thanks as I crash through the door and receive enthusiastic tail wags and more wet kisses from the dog. I then jump into after-hours activities from a multiple-choice list that includes dog walking, class, homework, community service, coaching, housework . . .

At bedtime Jesus and I meet up once again. My husband (when he isn't working late) and I share a devotional thought (right now we are reading Rick Warren's book The Purpose-driven Life) and prayer. Then I usually read a few chapters from the Bible. Sometimes I don't. I'll read something else--just for variety's sake. Once the words on the page start to float and swirl before my eyes, I douse the light and coast into dreamworld.

I must be honest with you. Every day is not the same. Plans and duties change. So do my devotional practices. I may immediately get embroiled in something at work and not read a morning devotional. And I know it is going to take my husband and me more than 40 days to read Warren's book. But the important thing is that I remember to keep the communication lines open--and my feet grounded in God. Without Jesus my whirlwind of breakneck activity would sweep me up and spin me out of control. I thank God for the breaks from my grind, absolutely delighted that He is always just a thought and prayer away.

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Kimberly Luste Maran is an assistant editor for the Adventist Review.