It’s 9:00 am on a Saturday. I have my day planned and a well-paced doable schedule. I have slept in (always my most favourite thing to do on a Saturday) and will follow up shortly with some quality time with my Bible, my journal, my devotional, and Jesus. Then I’ll have some fruit for breakfast, do the laundry, swiffer and vacuum my floors and carpets. A quick lunch (eggs and multi-grain toast) while spending some time at the computer. After digesting a bit, I will go down to the gym for a good workout, and top it off with a refreshing shower and relaxing sauna. Dinner on my balcony, drinking in the lush greenery of my river valley view, along with a cold beer, a big salad and some home-made pita chips, will be my reward. And I will end the day watching some TV or a movie.

I have 12 hours in which to do all these things. But before I get into it all, I stand on my balcony indulging in my first mug of rich dark-roast coffee with a splash of cream, gaze out at my little village of 4 high-rise condos surrounded by rolling lawns, trees and a generous fringe of colourful well-tended flowers. I spot an elderly lady briskly doing her morning walkabout. Over there is a couple walking matching Scottish terriers, and a young woman is jogging up the road after a morning run across the river. Two cars pull up in front of my building; one is spitting out people and shopping bags full of groceries; the other is picking up a lady to go out somewhere. There’s a rummage sale for the local humane society happening today. Our church is having its annual community BBQ this afternoon. The world is humming along…

I sigh, and come inside to pour my second mug of coffee. It’s 9:45 AM and I have yet to start my quiet time. The CD is set up (Piano Chill, a collection of worship songs done in soothing yet inspiring instrumental arrangements). And now that I’ve had this little chat with you, I’m going to get into my day’s “to do” list. Hold me accountable, would you? And enjoy your weekend – it’s officially summer!