FIVE FORTY-FIVE AM…

"Carry an umbrella, folks," warned the voice on the clock radio. "It's gonna be a wet-one!"

Dusty Fox held fast to his dream.  The wind was on his face blowing his hair back and a light spray of water wet his body as he glided along behind a powerboat. . .barefoot! He had always believed he could do it if he tried. 
 
The annoying radio came on a second time.  "The suspect was apprehended by police Sunday night. . ."  Dusty hit the off button and let out a moan.  The dream was gone and he was awake.  "Okay Fox, get up!"  He had set his alarm early so that he could spend time reading his Bible before work. "Man, it's still dark outside," he complained as he tossed off the down comforter and threw his legs over the side of the bed.  He yawned and stretched his arms.  The chill in the air invoked a shiver.  "Burrrr. . ."  He plopped back on his pillow, grabbed the comforter and pulled it up to warm his body.  Just five more minutes, he thought to himself as he snuggled under the covers, then I'll get up. . .read a few verses. . .pray a little.

Yawn....

SIX FIFTY-FIVE AM… 

Dusty abruptly came awake.  His tired eyes squinted at the clock. "Oh no. . ." he moaned when he saw the time. He came out of bed like he was on fire.

On his way to the bathroom he thought about his commitment to God to spend "Quiet Time" with Him before he began his day, starting with the Bible, then a few minutes of prayer.  Now the best he could do was to pray for a few minutes. The Bible would have to wait until he got home from basketball practice.

Satisfied with his decision, he added a line of gel to his toothbrush. 

  THE CLEVER DEMON smiled, exposing incisors as large as elephant tusks. "Mission accomplished!" he exclaimed gleefully.  Then he launched into the cosmos.

SEVEN FIFTEEN AM…

Dusty had just finished shaving when the phone rang. He blotted his face with a towel and went to answer it.

Greg, his buddy from work, had called to suggest that they ride to work together.  With the season's first rain the streets would surely be a parking lot.  Driving in the carpool lane would get them out of the L.A. traffic and to work on time.  Dusty agreed to pick Greg up in thirty minutes.
He dressed quickly and went to the kitchen to grab a bagel and a cup of coffee.  As he stirred the sugar into the dark brew, he remembered his commitment to God.  He'd blown it -- again!  Dusty