When my day started early Friday morning, several hours before first-light, there was a steady rain and the temperature was about 40 degrees, as it often is this time of year. I always start the coffee on the way out with the dogs and, once back inside, we all shook off the chill and drizzle. At the time I had no way of knowing it would soon be the brightest morning I can remember.

The dogs opted to stay in with their biscuits, but I took my morning "smoke" and hot coffee onto the covered porch where I always have my quiet time. I don't guess anybody's ever seen my prayer list and, if they asked, I wouldn't show it to them. Just me and God know all the names.

My prayer requests are divided into three categories. There is the "A list," where nobody wants to be because it's real serious. The "B list" includes the names of others I worry about who have a better chance, and the "C list" is the most fun. I never pray for things, just for people and wisdom and grace and forgiveness.

The whole deal usually lasts about as long as my cigar and coffee do. Then I come inside, flip on the computer, and - in the hushed quietness - begin my "morning reading." I start with the personal emails that arrive on tiptoe while I sleep.

In Friday's batch a friend sent me one of the best stories I ever read. It made me "mist up," if you must know, so for some unknown reason, I suddenly deviated from my routine and decided to shave and brush my teeth, opting to think about that story and how moved I was before forging on.

Well, I always cut my iPod on in the bathroom, listening to my favorite songs as I pretty up, and suddenly a 1965 song by Frank Sinatra called "Tell Her You Love Her" came on. It starts with a cascade of kettle drums and, as the chorus blends in, "Ole Blue Eyes" does it better than anybody who ever was:

"Tell her you love her each day,
You'll make her happy that way.
A simple 'I love you' means more than money,
And with a kiss or two her life is sunny."

Well, I was crying before the first verse ended. I cannot explain why or what then took place, nor can I think of any reason for doing it, but I went back to my computer and sent the story that had moved me so mightily to a good handful of those who I had just prayed for, each one a single e-mail with a short note letting them know that on this morning they mattered to me.

Again, I cannot tell you why I would ever do something like that. I never have before, but, my heavens above, the response I got back was the most beautiful outpouring of love that I have ever experienced. If I am bold enough to ask the Lord to bless somebody, maybe they need to know that, quietly, there is somebody who cares, someone "in the corner."

So today, if you have a moment, let me suggest you "cut-and-paste" the story that follows. Then make this a "Super Sunday" by sending it, with a quick, personal note to those who you love, simply explaining they have been in your thoughts, or on your prayer list, and that they matter to you.

Caution here; you are going to get an overwhelming response when you do it. Then again, that's what usually happens when you tell somebody you "care." It's the truth: "A simple 'I love you' means more than money." So here is the note I sent to a fistful of people on my prayer list as dawn was breaking Friday morning:

* * *

"As I sat in the early dawn of this rainy Friday morning, you are on my prayer list.

"A little later, as I began my "morning reading," a friend had sent me something so profound I want to "single shot" you with it. While I am sending it to others on my Prayer list, please look at the address line atop this e-mail. Yours is the only address you'll see. You are in Roy Exum's heart this morning.

"Please allow me just a moment, then, to urge you to 'Keep on Pushing' because that's what I prayed the Lord would enable you to do as this morning's rain gently fell:"

* * *

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to Push against the rock with all his might.

So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might!

Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time!)

'You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved.' Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.

Satan said, 'Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough.' That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.

"Lord,' he said, 'I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done.

"Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.

"But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.

"Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be Obedient and to push and to exercise your Faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock."

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him.

By all means, exercise the Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves the Mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong -- Just P.U.S.H.

When the job gets you down -- Just P.U.S.H.

When people don't do as you think they should -- Just P.U.S.H.

When your money is 'gone' and the bills are due -- Just P.U.S.H.

When people just don't understand you -- Just P.U.S.H.

P = Pray

U = Until

S = Something

H = Happens

Pass this on to all your loved ones and friends who may need it; they may get it just in time. 'Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.'

Friends are like quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. May God Bless You.

Just Hold On!!! P.U.S.H!

royexum@aol.com