I started reading Day 1 of Becky Tirabassi’s book yesterday, and it brought back memories of my college roommate, Amy. She had such a huge influence on me, and it’s only now, many years later, that I’m realizing it.

Here’s what Amy did. She started going to Campus Crusade for Christ meetings — and invited me to come! And why did I go? Because she told me there would be cute boys there! Even cuter than guys in the Lamda Chi fraternity! (No way…no way!)

At that point in my life, my keenest ambition was to become a Lamda Chi little sister. (Ha! Remember, Shannon?) Interestingly enough, I later became chaplain of the Lamda Chi little sisters — (OK, and it was fun.)

So, I followed her to a CCC meeting, because Amy made me laugh — we laughed all the time. And at the first meeting, there WERE lots of cute boys — and there was a group of them up front dancing around in raisin costumes to “I heard it through the grapevine.” (Um…I suppose it was some kind of skit.)

A couple of years later, Amy became engaged to one of those cute boys — and — of all things, he wanted to join the marines! So, to prepare herself to become a military wife, she started going to bed VERY early (before 10 pm), and getting up at 5 am to pray. I mean, she got down on her knees beside her bed in our dorm room to pray. Every morning!

Well, this new schedule was hard for me to get used to! I was a night owl, an English major with tons of books to read and papers to write. I had to find other places to stay up late to study — sometimes even hanging out in the bathroom, so I could have a light on.

Every morning…5 am. Amy’s up. Praying. One hour. She prayed for one hour.

What has God done with Amy’s life? She’s been married to the same godly husband for nearly 14 years, and they have five beautiful children. Because of their life in the military, they’ve moved all over the country — to many different states. In every home they’ve established, they’ve become leaders, godly influences on their children, and all those around them.

We’ve kept in touch, and I’m seeing now how precious she is to me — and how God put us together in the same room for two years because she had a burning heart then, and still does now.

Today I’m thinking — what kind of mom would I be now if I hadn’t lived with Amy? I watched her pray (out of the corner of my sleepy eyes); I’ve seen how she dug in roots during those long, quiet hours of prayer.

Her faith strengthened mine; is there anyone around me who needs an Amy?

Do my children see me praying on my knees? Is my faith influencing theirs? Are they going to grow up and remember one thing about their mom — that she prayed?

Not yet. That’s why I’m reading THE BURNING HEART CONTRACT. Something’s definitely going to change in my life by the time I finish it. I’m on Day 2, out of 21.

How about you? Has anyone seen you get on your knees in prayer lately?