by Leslie Penna
Leslie shares how she leans on God every day for His strength, especially during times of crisis.
As a newborn believer, less than twenty-four hours old, I was very fortunate to have a God-honoring sister who gave me my first Bible and told me that every day I had to read it and pray. So I did. I found myself getting up earlier and earlier in the mornings, just to make sure I had enough time to do what my sister told me. I learned to look forward to that special time each day. I honestly didn’t know it was possible to not spend time with the Lord like this, because it became as much a part of me as breathing.
Nowadays, on weekdays my time with the LORD begins at 3:45 a.m., regardless of what time I go to bed. On weekends it’s more like 6:00-6:30 a.m. Being with God, and being fed by Him, is more important to me than sleep. On days when it’s hard to worship, I envision myself entering the Holy of Holies, and the Holy Spirit draws me into worship. I couldn’t get through a day without the strength God gives me every morning, when I meet with Him this way.
I have a full-time job that is beyond my ability. I have to rely on the Lord every day, all day, to give me wisdom, clarity, and resolution as I work. I can honestly say it is Him who is strong in my weaknesses at work. I’m with people there, all day long, who are from a wide variety of religions, and very few of them are in relationship with Jesus. I rely on God to open up doors for conversations about Him, and He does.
At one point, during a nine-month period, I experienced three devastating losses. My grandma died, whom I adored. My favorite dog died, whom I loved dearly. And I found out I had cancer. I really had nothing left in me, but God gave me the strength I needed to get through that time. I clung to Psalm 73:25-26, and I tried to live by it:
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (NIV).
I still cannot imagine beginning a day without having time for the One who left heaven, lived here, took my sins to the cross, and rose to give me life. He is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
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