pondering blessings

 Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (5:34 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. Again! You’ve blessed me with peace. Warmth. Hope. Joy. Love. All of which I have been known to take for granted.

Thank You that You have so much more to teach me about each. I want to be a better learner.

Father God, how I thank You for the people, places and circumstances You have put in my path all these many years. So often I bypassed the opportunities I could have learned from them at the time.

Looking back I see a stream of things I missed. I want to learn from my mistakes Dear Lord.

I want to resemble Mary when she heard the shepherds tell about the angels (Luke 2:8-17). “All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often” (18-19).

I have tears as I read the various wordings used to describe Mary’s actions. She “committed these things to memory and considered them carefully.” Jesus’ own mother “kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.”

I’ve experienced occasions where I’ve stood [or sat] back. Taking it all in. Making mental notes to replay for myself later.

Father, continue Your work in teaching me to truly savor the blessings as they come. No matter their form.

“Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them.” I can be a very deep thinker. How I ask You to keep my thoughts on all You’ve given me. I want to use my brain space wisely. Pondering blessings.

Mm. The Message says, “Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.” Yes! Holding them dear and deep.  

I confess to the regrets I have over mistakes I’ve made. I want to learn to preserve the blessings. Not my failings. Or those of others.

You are teaching me Lord. Keep up Your fine good work of refining (Malachi 3:3) me into the woman You created me to be. Loving. Kind. 100% Yours.

Do all You must Dearest Lord. I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You Praise You. Amen.

(362 words ~ 6:36 a.m.)