successful outcome

 Thursday, October 23, 2025 (4:12 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I’m experimenting Lord. Choosing You. Your Word. Your way. To the very best of my ability.

Childhood friends are flying in for the weekend. There’s quite a bit of driving planned. Out of town visits with family. And a funeral.

Father God, this is brand new territory for each of us. The first loss of a sibling.

There is a profound sadness deep in my soul.

We recognize You as good. Gracious. Glorious. Great (Psalm 145:5-8). Thank You that You are.

I’ve taken a different approach to readying the house for guests this time. Choosing to put my energies on self care rather than the usual scramble of cleaning windows, floors and surrounding surfaces.

(4:55 a.m.)

Father, thank You for Your Word. Your Truth. Your promises.

Thank You that You are truly teaching me to ‘pay attention to my own work, for then I will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and I won’t need to compare myself to anyone else’ (Galatians 6:4).

Thank You that the phrase “comparison is the thief of joy” came into my thinking yesterday. I want to learn to do my best Lord. MY best, not someone else’s. 

Unrealistic expectations have dogged and discouraged me since childhood. Teach me YOUR way Lord.

Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever You do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Yes please, Father. Teach me to live Your Word.

A devotion titled Self-Perception in The Life Recovery Bible tells us, “If we copy the behavior and customs of this world, we will head straight toward selfish ways and destructive dependencies.” Ain’t that the truth!

It goes on saying that we are to turn our will and our life over to You. Your care. Obeying and trusting You to “work changes in us and make us new people… from the inside out.”

While we are powerless to bring about these changes on our own, we can yield our life and will to You. Depending on You to “renew our mind and heart… transforming us from the inside out.”

I experienced this very thing yesterday. Each time I considered doing something more, I checked in internally. Immediately recognizing my tendency to spin myself out of control, I chose to do less.

Thank You Father. 

Remembering to not take things personally, to use kind words with myself as well as with others, to not make assumptions and to do my best all led to a very successful outcome. A great night’s sleep. And an eager approach to the day.

Do all You know is best in, with, by, through and for me. I want to worship, adore, glorify and enjoy You. Use me to Your good. I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(5:25 words ~ 5:58 a.m.)