being near

Saturday, July 18, 2026 (5:49 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You for Your nearness.

        James 4:8

        Psalm 145:18; 34:18; 73:28

        Pressing into God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19-25)

        “people of the Cross”

(6:41 a.m.)

Father, thank You for this time to explore being near to You.

Feeling unsettled by a lack of interest and commitment to any one direction this morning, I truly appreciate being able to just come and be with You.

I am grateful for the opportunity to read the writings of others. And to ultimately start singing:

♪You are God in heaven

And here am I on earth

So I’ll Let My Words Be Few 

Jesus, I am so in love with You♪

(Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Mm, yes Dear Lord. As I draw near to You, I am asking (Matthew 7:7) that You work in, with, by, through and for me today. Putting one step in front of the next. Taking me exactly where You would have me.

Use my thoughts, hopes, dreams, words and actions in glorifying and enJOYing You forever. I love, need, trust and want You Blessed God. Thank You for loving me so that I can in turn love others (1 John 4:19). Do all You must Dear Lord. Praise You. Amen.

(217 words ~ 6:59 a.m.)

Amazed!

 Friday, July 17, 2026 (5:10 a.m.)

Blessed God,

It took me some minutes (at least 15 of them) for me to get here. Thank You that I finally am... Grinning. Giggling. And grateful. Complete with several, “Thank You, God”s to boot.

(5:22 a.m.)

Again You amaze me Father. One moment I’m grumbling and growling. And the next? Singing of a ♪Hard Fought Hallelujah♪ Thank You. Thank You. Thank You God.

I much prefer when I actually mean the words as I say them to You. You provide us so many opportunities to practice.

Having circumstances not turn out as I had hoped and planned offers another challenge to “give thanks in all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I rarely come to this decision readily.

Yes. There’s often kicking and screaming in my soul before remembering to relinquish all control to You. Oh! But when I do? Eventual “Peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:9) every single time.

Thank You for the times that things go as I hope. And thank You especially for when they don’t (James 1:2-4).

This morning I’m asking You to take full control of all the loose ends I’m facing. A birthday breakfast planned for a much loved one. Coinciding with a forgotten visit from a completely different family.

Oh! And be sure to add pool care to the mix.

All of these swirling thoughts kept nagging at me throughout the night. Thank You that rest finally came. As did the grins, giggles and gratitude mentioned earlier.

Thank You for changing my perspective. Clearing the eyes of my heart (Ephesians 1:18) so I am able to see You at work in the details.

♪Have Thine Own Way, Lord! 

Have Thine own way!

Thou art the Potter,

I am the clay.

Mold me and make me

After Thy will,

While I am waiting,

Yielded and still♪

(Isaiah 64:8)

Oh yes! Have Thine own way. In, with, by, through and for me I ask (Matthew 7:7). You are so good. Great. Glorious. Gracious (Psalm 145:5-8). And all things are possible through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Do all You must Blessed God, that today goes exactly as YOU would have it. Surprises and all. 

I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Thank You for making me WANT to smile. Sing. Stand firm and stay my mind on You and Your Word. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(411 words ~ 6:07 a.m.)

Divine intentions

 Thursday, July 16, 2026 (5:52 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You For Your love. And thank You for the ways certain words bring various songs to my mind.

Father, we are blessed to know You. To trust You. And to be loved by You.

(6:51 a.m.)

Again, I put the focus on how blessed we are to know and be Known by You. More music starts immediately!

Thank You that in searching to learn more of all You have for us, I find an examination of Numbers 6:24-26. Commonly referred to as the Aaronic or Priestly Blessing.

These verses have long represented my very dear husband’s love for and hope in You. And Your precious Word.

Thank You for this opportunity to explore what ‘is often cited as Your five divine intentions for humanity.’ Do all You must in training me to uphold them in my everyday practices.

An AI overview shows this well known Blessing broken down into five parts:

Bless and Keep: God’s divine favor, protection, and provision.

Make His Face Shine: Experiencing God’s pleasure and delight in you.

Be Gracious: Receiving unmerited mercy and compassion in times of need.

Turn His Face Toward You [the same dear husband especially LOVED the version that adds “And SMILE!”]: Receiving God’s personal approval and focus.

Give You Peace: Experiencing a deep, holistic sense of wholeness, rest and tranquility (Shalom).

(7:13 a.m.)

Mm. Yes Blessed Father. Continue Your work in teaching me to live as You would have me live. Loving You. Others. And myself. With all of my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31). 

I do love You Lord. Far more than I will ever begin to understand. Use me and Your Divine intentions as only You know is best. Trusting and depending on You every step of the way. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(305 words ~ 7:18 a.m.)

Invited!

 Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (6:18 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m confessing a bit of ingratitude. With some ungratefulness along side. And I’m asking You to replace my stony heart (Ezekiel 36:26).

(6:35 a.m.)

Father, thank You that we are able [invited?] to share our deepest hurts and hopes with You. Yes! You invite us.

(6:54 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

While I’m at it, let me confess all the fear I’ve been carrying. Fear of not being and doing enough. Fear of making big and lasting mistakes. Fear of whatever is coming next.

Father, thank You that we have Your Word to repeatedly remind us to “Fear not” and “Be not afraid.” Thank You that I can bring every single captured thought straight to You (2 Corinthians 10:5).

(7:03 a.m.)

Again I confess… it’s taken awhile for me to arrive

♪And Here I Am to Worship 

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy

Altogether wonderful to me♪

Yes Father! I want to cast all my cares upon You. Truly giving You all my worries. Trusting and believing that You care about me (1 Peter 5:7).

Thank You for the desire to “taste and see” that You are good. “Oh the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).

I’m planning to do new and different things for myself today. And I am confessing the apprehension I am experiencing about it. Do all You must in overriding my uncertainties. Supply my every need I ask (Matthew 7:7).

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

(288 words ~ 7:17 a.m.)

any given instant

 Tuesday, July 14, 2026 (4:34 a.m.)

“Oh yeah…"

I’ve said it out loud several times in the last half hour.

“… I asked to wake up to check the sprinklers."

“… I have to flip the switch to turn the outdoor lights on.”

“… THAT’s where I put my phone!”

So many “oh yeah"s already. What else do You have for me?

“… I was planning to start the laundry right off.”

“… there are errands to run.”

♪Who am I that You keep me on Your mind?

God I’m Just Grateful for You

God I’m just grateful for You

All my life, You’ve been right here by my side

God I’m just grateful for You♪ 

(5:10 a.m.)

Father, thank You for all the directions my brain goes in any given instant. Always with the choice of filtering the thoughts through You.

Thank You for the promises and history recorded in Your Word. Thank You for the privilege and opportunity of exploring and basking in It.

(5:40 a.m.)

All faith, hope and LOVE (1 Corinthians 13:13) are found in You. Father, I ask (Matthew 7:7) that You continue providing all that is necessary for me to follow where You lead.

I love, need, trust and want You Dearest God. Use me as You know is best. Doing all You must that I glorify and enJOY You forever. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(230 words ~ 5:44 a.m.)

 

"Amen!"

 Monday, July 13, 2026 (5:06 a.m.)

Amen!

How’s that for a way to start the day?

(5:18 a.m.)

Mm, yes. In total agreement.

(5:38 a.m.)

Father God, thank You for the ways You work at changing us into Your image. Patiently. Faithfully. 

G R A C E / guilt [GRACE over guilt]

(5:55 a.m.)

♪Oh Lord, I need You now, more than ever

Would You put my heart back

I searched the world ’til my head hurt

Just to find out Your Way’s Better♪

I do not have sufficient words for thanking You adequately for the changes You continue making in, with, by, through and for me. It’s a polite enough expression. I pray You see the depth the simplicity of “Thank You, God” takes in my heart.

Bible Truths keep flooding in. Stony heart (Ezekiel 36:26). Faith, hope and LOVE (1 Corinthians 13:13). L (tr) O (u) V (th) E [Truth in love] (Ephesians 4:15).

Lord God, You have so very much for us to learn. And Your patient presence bears with us all the mistakes we continue making. Thank You Father.

2 Peter 3:9-12

Psalm 34:12-14; 103:8-10

Isaiah 41:10

Thank You for teaching us to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:1-8). “For this world is not our permanent home…” (Hebrews 13:14).

Which brings me all the way back to the original “Amen!” with which I started. I agree with You Lord. Heartfully. I want to represent You well. Do all You must to this end.

Even by teaching me just now another thing I have missed through all these years of loving and trusting You. Another name for Jesus? Found in His letter to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22). 

“… these are the words of the Amen - the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:” (v. 14b Amplified Bible).

Oh, amen, Dear Lord. Amen. Amen. Amen! 

Use me exactly as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. I love You. Amen.

(3:42 words ~ 6:50 a.m.)

musing

 Sunday, July 12, 2026 (5:30 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You for time to sit. Imagine. Wonder. Consider. Mm… muse. Yes! I am musing with You. Thank You.

♪Peace Be Still

Say the word and I will

Set my feet upon the sea

Till I’m dancing in the deep♪

Psalm 119:147-149

Colossians 2:7; 3:16

2 Timothy 3:16-17

(6:31 a.m.)

Most Blessed and Awesome God, thank You for the care You take with each and every one of Your beloved children. Thank You for the opportunity of learning to pour out my heart and soul to You.

Who knew [You did!] that all these years/decades of me sitting with You in the mornings is considered musing. Wow! How incredibly blessed I am to have stumbled upon this practice. Thank You, thank You, Lord.

Use me today as only You are able. I love, need, trust and want You as You know is best. Do in, with, by, through and for me exactly as You have planned (Jeremiah 29:11). Musing on You and Your Word as I go.

Thank You Father. Praise You Lord. Amen.

(174 words ~ 6:40 a.m.)