A friend, and a fairly new one at that, sent me a text this morning at 5:30am with some devotionals, saying she was praying for me. I smiled and texted back that I was also awake and having coffee as I spent my morning time with God and I totally appreciated the things she sent as a screenshot. They were devotionals from Jesus Calling, a book that was my constant companion and encourager for the eight years I spent in California.

There was much comfort in reading them because like my Bible, I may have read them many times before, but they are new every time, due to the different circumstances in my life the next year or the next day. I find I love seeing my old margin notes, especially dates, in my Bible for the same reason, as I try to remember my circumstances in 1988, or 2006 or whatever I have noted. Mostly I am just reminded how God has brought me through so many things that were hard at the time but now hardly a memory. If they are a memory it is always one of praise, thanksgiving and gratefulness in His mercy and everlasting kindness to me.

Back to my title here. This particular devotion mentioned to resist the devil in hard times and refresh yourself in My presence. I had a thought hit me really strongly when I read that. Refresh. I was reminded at how often when I am experiencing problems with my computer, with Windows or some application, I am told clear your cookies and/or Refresh your computer. This can be by a relative trying to assist me from a distance or someone representing an online company. Reboot and Refresh. Turn it off and start clean. This is exactly what that devotional, written years before my laptop was even a thought, was reminding me. Turn everything off. Start over again but this time put Me first. Start with prayer not problems. Start with gratefulness, knowing I go before you and make a way for you. Start with the many ways I have had your back in everything over the years. Start with thanksgiving and praise.

That is the place to start my day, my afternoon, and my night’s sleep. That is the place to refresh when what I am thinking and doing becomes a sticky blockade for my mind and heart. I cannot do anything without Jesus. That also means I can do great things with Him. I can do more that I can imagine with Him. It has been proven to me over 45 years in His presence and care. His love sustains me in any circumstance I face. If I allow Him to work out things, they will always have a good outcome, even if not the only one I can think of at this moment. What safety and comfort there is in a reboot back to a clean and clear home base. Clear the cookies that block my sight and return my mind and heart from a place of anxiety to one of peace in my Creator, who loves me as unconditionally as I do my children. A safe space I can go for an AHA moment like I do when someone says refresh your computer. The button is right there in my sight, yet I forgot about it for a moment when fear or distrust threatens my peace. Hit that button! Pull out that Bible! And then Rejoice, as you give it all over to the one who can actually fix things!