The stillness of my heart awakens me to another day as my dreams fade into the realities of this world. It’s quiet now as the sun peeks over the horizon like a bright giant, but in a few moments my whole being will be shaken by the crashing noise of a 200 man cell block.

Today I will be met with all the hostilities of a day in prison the harsh profanities of men who live in pain, men who have made friends with their loss, human beings who are the product of a contorted culture of men who have no purpose other than their own ends.

Today is an opportunity to know God personally I will draw near to Him in prayer, seek Him with all my heart and gain His instruction. I am a soldier in the army of God, for “no man that warreth entangles himself in the affairs of this life; that He may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

Today I will smite my enemy with the words of God and overcome the mistreatment of others with love, armed with a peace that surpasses all understanding; I will greet my adversary, the devil, with a smile.

Today I will be a doer of the Word and reach out to someone different than me with God’s message of love and restoration.

Today I will trust my Father, ask for His perspective on my adversity, and I will see it as an opportunity.

Today I will extend my hand in friendship to someone who doesn’t deserve it just as I did not deserve it when Jesus extended His hand to me from the cross.

Today I will call on my commander and He will fill my heart with joy, and I will share it with someone less fortunate than me.

Today God’s light will shine through me and pierce the darkness.

Today I will be thankful for my Christian brothers and sisters and when I open my mouth it will be to lift them up in prayer.

Today the only noise people will hear from me will be my praise to my Heavenly Father.

Today I will be like a man standing at the side of a raging river reaching for the drowning people and pulling them to safety just as my Father has done for me.

Today I will be obedient and God will give me understanding,

Today I have come to the realization that I have been saved and I will never be the same.

Today if I should fail I will press on towards the higher calling in Christ Jesus for which He has take hold of me. (Philippians 3:12-14)

Today if I should die I will surely live, I will soar like and eagle to heavenly places and what I will be has not yet been known but I know I will be like Him. (1 John 3:2).

Today everyone will know that the nature of my circumstances is not a sign of God’s love for me, but my peace in the midst of life’s tribulations.

In a few moments my day will come to an end, and I will ponder on the brokenness of my life that has led me home. As the stars peek through the blanket of the night and I lay my head to rest, I will thank God for today.