♪Different♪

 Thursday, February 13, 2025 (4:28 a.m.)

♪All at once, everything is different…♪

Yes Lord. 

(6:41 a.m.)

More than two hours later and I still haven’t found my groove. One thing I learned from the song above, it’s actually ♪…everything LOOKS different♪

Let’s go in that direction. The difference between how things appear and how they really are.

You know that better than anyone.

♪All at once, everything looks different♪

Lord God, I confess to getting caught in traps of my own perception. Just because things look a certain way, doesn't mean that’s how they really are. Your Word teaches us to look beyond what’s right in front of us (Exodus 14:13-14, 1 Samuel 16:6-7).

While in a group setting my thoughts often take me to feeling like an outsider. With my heart open before You, the song above just now switched to ♪I want to be Different I want to be changed♪

Father God, I love the work You are doing in and on my heart. My soul. My mind. My strength. You are so very good. I want to keep learning to see Your goodness and mercy (Psalm 23:6) throughout each moment.

I continue experiencing emotions all over the place. Highs. Lows. Sobs. Laughter. Trusting You to be right here with me through it all.

Father, thank You for the glimpses of gratitude You provide me every time a smile comes across my face. There truly IS a peace which passes understanding down in my heart (Philippians 4:7). Thank You Lord.

Thank You for the rain outside. And the warmth within. Thank You for simple joys. Countered with serious concerns.

Here again I turn to The Message version of Your Truth. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life” (Philippians 4:6-7).

I experienced bits and pieces of that wonder with You yesterday. Walking through a rain soaked amusement park. Many times feeling completely alone in a group of eight. Occasionally being invited in. Always remembering You were there.

Father thank You for the freedom to think and say and be and do what I knew to be true at the time. To stand on a curb, umbrella in hand, for a better view of the saxophone playing grandson. Thank You for the willingness to fully enjoy three favored rides completely on my own. Entirely exposed to the elements.

This is all You Dear Lord. Working in, with, by, through and for me. It is Your Word that is alive and powerful. Sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. Exposing our innermost thoughts and desires (Hebrews 4:12).

Thank You for the various ways You communicate with us. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes and He is the One to Whom we are accountable” (v. 13).

Father, I love, need, trust and want You. Use me as You know is best. Strip off every weight that slows me down, especially any sin that so easily trips me up. I want to run with endurance the race You have set before me. Keeping my eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2a).

Yes please. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(581 words ~ 8:12 a.m.)