With a dictionary to my left and writing instruments to my right, I savored what I like to call my daily slice of the pie. It’s after 11:00 pm and it’s finally quiet in the house except for the soothing tick-tock of the grandfather clock my dad had given me over twenty years ago.

In reality, Marilyn Ludolf is the friend who encouraged the students in her class at a women’s conference to claim a daily slice of the pie. Marilyn shared about the importance of enjoying a special moment of the day that nourishes each day of life that is given to us.

I think of Marilyn Ludolf often. His book entitled, “Freed by Faith” is one of the most beloved encouragement books in my home library. However, I first read about Marilyn Ludolf’s testimony of faith about six years ago in a book by Norman Vincent Peale called “How to Make Positive Imagery Work for You.”

Dr. Peale spoke about the power of strong faith in God, constantly relying on our privilege to listen and focus on God instead of ourselves. Marilyn Ludolf’s unshakeable faith exemplified her complete trust in God’s will for her life.

As I sit in my living room filled with ferns, peace lilies, bamboo, and other plants, I remember a weekend trip to the North Carolina coast a few years ago when I bought a card the size of a poster with a verse from a book in the Bible. “Humbly accept the word of God planted in you, which can save you.”

Ms. Ludolf planted words of encouragement in my heart, which became deep roots of faith. I hope you will prepare your heart so that you can receive the same gift of encouragement and hope that I received.

An anonymous quote seems appropriate when I think of eating a delicious slice or two of the many cakes my mother baked for our family. “Eat it, use it, make it work, or do without it.” Good advice for everyone to heed, especially when we recognize that our daily slice of cake is often made up of precious time.