right here, right now

 Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (4:47 a.m.)

Good early morning Lord,

I’m confessing to You right here, right now the “Thank You”s have been few and far between so far. Oh, but even in saying that, there came a smile. And a wonder.

Looking at the date in its numerical form I saw “7/7” and wondered, what may I have been doing on 7/7/77? That’s quite a few forward slants right there.

Things were much different then. I didn’t know You very well. Thank You for the freedom that allows me to give You every single one of my thoughts.

Thinking. Looking. Wondering. Smiling. Knowing. Trusting. Believing. Hoping. You provide us these possibilities.

♪It is well with my soul

It is well with my soul

Whatever my lot

You are still my God

It is well

 It is well with my soul♪

(Make It Well)

 (5:11 a.m.)

Father, I realize my thoughts are all over the place. Running unchecked from one thing to another. Thank You that at any given moment one Bible verse (2 Corinthians 10:5) is replacing another (Philippians 4:13).

Just as quickly as one line of thinking comes in there’s another right behind. Almost screaming, “Hey! Look at me. Pay attention over here.” That’s why I want to bring it all to You. Asking (Matthew 7:7) You to sort it all out for me. “You do it!”

(5:57 a.m.)

And there You did. Again!

Thank You Father. As I rambled and roamed, You reminded me of 1 Corinthians 14:40 and the importance to “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Lord, I confess the random disorder with which I have been approaching most days. Thank You for causing me to remember the Truth of Philippians 4:13. “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength!”

Thank You that decades ago You provided me with a list of how You would have me live each day. All backed with Bible verses to match.

“Fear not!

Show Love

Respect

Listen

Obey

Speak Truth

Confess

Forgive

Say Thanks

But, first of all,

PRAY!!!!!!!”

And just when I was beginning to think my thoughts couldn’t be any farther from You and all You have for me… another TRUTH came to light!

My fascination with the sevens in today’s date. I suddenly remembered the number 7 as being biblically significant. “…the primary symbol for divine perfection, completeness, and covenant faithfulness.”

Getting to take the significance of sevens one click further, I find Proverbs 24:16. We may fall seven times out of weakness of our own character or willpower.

But You, being perfectly You, will continue Your good work in each of us “until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6).

Yep! You are pretty darned amazing God. Thank You that You are.

Do all You must that I come to worship, adore, glorify and enJOY You exactly as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You as absolute Lord of my life. Use me in representing You well. Thank You. Praise You.

(470 words ~ 6:21 a.m.)

wonder

 Monday, July 6, 20026 (5:18 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You! Mm, yes. Thank You for a smile. A gentle thought. Good coffee. Joy. Peace. And wonder.

Yes, Father. Thank You for wonder. I would like to spend today exploring the wonder of it all.

And right here sings the song

♪You are Worthy of It All 

You are worthy of it all, Jesus

For from You are all things

And to You are all things

You deserve the glory♪

Indeed! You deserve the glory!

(5:37 a.m.)

Father, I have very little to add.

Thank You for such easy access to the lyrics and Biblical references of this song.

Revelation 4 and 5

Romans 11:[33-]36

Malachi 1:11

♪Day and night, night and day

Let incense♪

How wondrous for me that the prayers of Your people are described as incense to You. I ask Dear Lord, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Yes, please. Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me that You will be truly glorified. I love, need, trust and want You Blessed God. Use me as You alone know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(218 words ~ 5:52 a.m.)

divinely privileged

 Sunday, July 5, 2026 (4:30 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You for the privilege of waking up singing.

(4:50 a.m.)

This definitely took a turn from where we started! The word privilege didn’t sit quite well with me. Yet in this particular case, singing and smiling upon awakening IS “an unexpected good fortune or benefit.”

Holy God, I confess to You how very often I take my blessings and good fortune for granted. Never intentionally, mind You.

(5:06 a.m.)

And here I get [am privileged] to go deeper. Yes! 

(5:25 a.m.)

Reading that the two greatest privileges we have are to know and love You, I pause to wonder… isn’t the grandest privilege we have actually being ♪fully KNOWN and loved by You♪?

(5:48 a.m.)

Here again I am reminded of just how truly privileged I am!

Taking some time to look up the song with which I awoke, I knew some of the lyrics but not the title. I even remembered it was by MercyMe.

Thank You Father for making me aware that it really IS well with my soul!

(6:33 a.m.)

♪It is well with my soul

It is well with my soul

Whatever my lot

You are still my God

It is well

It is well with my soul♪ 

(Make It Well)

(6:37 a.m.)

Having this privilege. This advantage. This desire to bring all my thoughts to You is indeed an honor I don’t take lightly.

Being able to readily find lyrics, scripture verses (Psalms 34 and 139; Ezekiel 36:17-27; 1 Corinthians 8:3) and more songs (Trust in God; Known) I am truly, profoundly, divinely privileged.

(6:58 a.m.)

Father, empower and enable me in using this privilege wisely. And well.

I love, need, trust and want You as the ultimate Provider of all. Do all You must that I worship, adore, glorify and enjoy You as You so rightly deserve. Thank You. Praise You. To You be the glory! Amen.

(343 words ~ 7:01 a.m.)

ERN

 Saturday, July 4, 2026 (4:17 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. For so many things.

(4:36 a.m.)

At this moment I’m especially grateful for the grace You provide.

(4:39 a.m.)

And just like that [SNAP!] I’m entering into one of the best “choose your own ending” books ever written. Your Word. Your Truth. Your promises.

Father, thank You!

I came here initially to thank You for the mistakes I’ve already made this morning. Completely brewing my half a cup of coffee without any water being the biggest so far.

Thank You for the different ways You would have us look at mistakes. Faux pas. Errors. Learning experiences. Springboards.

(5:06 a.m.)

Father God, You are freeing me from the stigma with which I was raised. Avoiding mistakes at all costs. Now I get to learn the benefits of making them!

Error-Related Negativity (ERN) signals our brains to pay attention. Remain alert. Adjust future behavior. Yes! Father, thank You for teaching me new responses to old patterns.

Another meaning of ERN involves You. Everyday Relationship Needs. With this approach we able to surrender to Your control. Seek Your guidance. And allow Your love to hold us through life’s unexpected turns (internet search overview).

Ephesians 3:14-21

♪Worthy of It All♪

(Romans 11:33-36)

(5:56 a.m.)

You never cease to amaze me Lord! 

Thank You for the various stages of color in the sky just now. Oranges. Blacks and whites. Then pinks. Gorgeous! Truly photo worthy.

Thank You for the joy that comes in appreciating the simplest things. Being able to thank You for the mistakes of yesterday and today. Asking (Matthew 7:7) that I learn valuable lessons from every single error I encounter.

(6:12 a.m.)

Father God, I love, need, trust and want to represent You well. Embracing and learning from each false step I may take.

You are good, great, glorious and gracious (Psalm 145:5-8). I want to resemble You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(261 words ~ 6:18 a.m.)

embracing languishment

 Friday, July 3, 2026 (4:32 a.m.)

Good morning Lord,

(4:46 a.m.)

Here it is! My first genuine, “Thank You!” of the day.

I tried a couple of fake ones earlier. Even refused manufacturing a few. This one comes on the heels of finding words that describe my feelings at the moment.

Neither happy nor sad. A neutral state. Emotionally flat. Numb. “Meh”. Languishing. Uninterested. Incurious.

Thank You Father that I am not alone in my feelings. Thank You that others have felt them. And they are not fatal.

Lament is too strong of a word. But languishing describes it well. A feeling of pensive sadness.

What’s even better than the description, is the fact that I don’t have to try to fix it. Or change it. Or make it go away. I can choose to embrace it. Bring it with me into Your presence. And ask (Matthew 7:7) You what You would have me do with this languishment.

(5:20 a.m.)

Father, thank You for teaching me to ride the waves of my emotions. Not to judge them. Nor the people I would normally point to as having caused them. 

YOU are good regardless (Psalm 145:7). Great (v. 6). Glorious (5). And gracious (8). Thank You that You are.

(5:33 a.m.)

Thank You that we have Your Word. To which we can turn. And cling.

Yes, Father. Thank You that Your Truth never changes. It provides us the hope that proves to be an anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19). Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

(5:49 a.m.)

Thank You again Dear Lord that we are able to bring every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5b) and feeling straight to You. No questions asked. Just come. Right into Your presence with thanksgiving in our hearts. Trusting. Believing. Depending on Your Word to stand true.

Use me today. Exactly as You know is best. Smiling [as I am now]. Singing [whenever it comes]. Standing firm in and on Your Word. And staying my mind on Your Truth and promises.

I love, need, trust and want You, Lord. “Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” (Psalm 90:12 The Message). Yes! Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(376 words ~ 5:59 a.m.)

the simplest of things

 Thursday, July 2, 2026 (4:37 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

Thank You! I’m not yet sure for what.

It really is the simplest of things. Sleep. Rest. Comfort. Joy. Mm, yes. I truly find joy in the simplest of things. And it’s all because of You.

Always all because of You.

(4:53 a.m.)

Father, You provide so much opportunity for us to practice appreciation. I notice it most when I’m outside. Taking in the mysteries of what You have created.

(5:01 a.m.)

I confess to knowing and understanding far less of all we experience than that of which I do. Thank You that it’s not up to me to know and understand. I am to acknowledge You in all my ways. And You will direct my path (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Message tells us to trust You from the bottom of our hearts. To not try to figure out everything on our own. To listen for Your voice in everything we do, everywhere we go. You’re the One who will keep us on track.

It goes on. “Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to GOD! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor GOD with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent GOD’s discipline; don’t sulk under His loving correction. It’s the child He loves that GOD corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this” (vs. 7-12).

Again I confess to being such a slow learner. You provide the greatest blessings in the simplest of things. And many times I miss them.

Thank You for the occasions I am aware. Thank You for the smiles that remind me that something good is taking place. Use me Lord. In sharing the joy that comes from knowing and trusting You.

(5:53 a.m.)

Yes Father. Joy. Found in the simplest of things. I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Continue Your work in, with, by, through and for me that I will represent You well. Worshiping, adoring, glorifying and enJOYing You forever. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(371 words ~ 6:02 a.m.)

POWER

 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (4:32 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You that 

♪There Is Power 

In the name of Jesus

There is power

Power in His name♪

Yes! Father, thank You for that power.

♪… For all who come 

Who run to Him in faith

He is there

… No fear, no lie

Can stand against us now

He is here♪

Oh look! I just smiled my first smile of the day. Of the new month, actually. How cool is that?! Thank You God.

The very idea of Jesus being here provides me with comfort I can’t begin to explain.

♪The Word has come

To silence every doubt

He is here♪

Thank You Father for the power that comes from this name. This one name that saves. Breaks every chain. Always is. And will remain. Jesus. The one name we proclaim. Always.

Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11

(7:04 a.m.)

All this time spent. Reading Your Word. Singing internally. Jumping up to take care of various chores. And coming back to read more about the power of Jesus’ name.

Father, how I thank and praise You for the ways You change the direction my mind tends to go. Fearful, negative thinking takes a backseat when I remember to sing Your praise instead.

Thank You for reminding me of all You are

♪Famous For (I Believe)♪

and that

♪The Name of Jesus is higher than all names♪

I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to keep working in, with, by, through and for me so I will readily come to utilize the power You provide. Do all You must that I will represent You well.

I love, need, trust and want You Blessed God. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(288 words ~ 7:22 a.m.)