abundant blessings

 Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (4:42 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You for Your blessings to us.

(5:05 a.m.)

Oh Your goodness Lord! Your great and glorious goodness (Psalm 145:5-8). How I truly thank You for the various ways You bless us!

Searching “God’s blessings to us” the floodgates opened. So many leads to follow concerning what those blessings are.

Under Spiritual Blessings we have: Salvation and Adoption, Forgiveness and Grace, The Holy Spirit, Peace and Joy, Wisdom and Knowledge.

Life and Abundance Blessings yields: Provision, Protection and Guidance, Family and Community, Purpose, Restoration.

The list for Blessings in the Beatitudes includes: Comfort, Inheritance, Mercy, Seeing God.

And then we are shown How These Blessings Are Received: Through Faith, Through Obedience, Through Gratitude.

(5:20 a.m.)

Holy God, it’s been over four decades since I was first introduced to the power of praising You. By a singing songbook named Psalty no less! How truly I thank You Father for the dedicated, obedient work Your people put in for the benefit of others.

By learning to thank and praise You regularly I was led just now to read of the abundant blessings You continuously pour out on us. Father, thank You!

Almost three years ago a contributor [Kathleen Cory] shared her experiences of being open to receive Your blessings. The beauty You provide is unmatched Dear Lord.

(6:12 a.m.)

The abundant blessings You make available to us are unparalleled. How I ask You to open our eyes and hearts to recognize and receive them

Continue Your work in teaching me to use Your blessings wisely and well Dear God. I love, need, trust and want You as absolute Lord of my life. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(292 words ~ 6:17 a.m.)

the blessings

 Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (6:14 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for the blessings Lord. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience… (Galatians 5:22-23). Your Word. Your Truth. Your promises.

Friendship. Music. Sights. Sounds. Thoughts. Wonders. Blessings surround us. Constantly. How I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to continue making me aware of them.

Sharing part of my love story yesterday began with the words, “Because I am a Christian…” How incredibly blessed am I to be able to start with that realization?!

Thank You Father! Everything I am, all that I ever hope to offer another starts with the fact that we are so perfectly loved by You. Mm. Yes. ♪Perfectly Loved♪

Blessed God, thank You for providing music that stirs our souls. Touches our hearts. Sings Your Truth. Do all You must in teaching me to share Your loving Truth with others.

It is You I trust. You I need, love and want. Keep pointing out the blessings You provide us each and every morning. Your faithful love and kindness (Lamentations 3:22-23 EasyEnglish Bible) being right up there at the top.

(6:47 a.m.)

The surface I’m just beginning to scratch concerning Jesus’ defeat over sin and death seems to grow stronger everyday. Having the privilege of searching Your Word to support my belief that because of Christ’s resurrection our loved ones don’t die, but truly pass on fills me with such tremendous hope.

Being able to readily turn to Matthew 28:5-6, John 3:16-17, Romans 3:23-26, 1 Corinthians 15:35-57, and Revelation 1:18 I sit a little straighter. Smile quite a bit broader. And the songs of the morning [So Very Hard to Go, Perfectly Loved] turn immediately to ♪I Believe yes! I believe…♪ 

Use me exactly as You know is best in sharing Your loving, hope-filled Truth with others. Thank You Father. Praise You Lord. Amen.

(312 words ~ 7:27 a.m.)

seeing grace and standing amazed

 Monday, May 18, 2026 (5:07 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. Sleep finally happened. As did some quality resting. Along with waking to realize that joy has indeed come in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

I confess to experiencing a truckload of self doubt and recrimination late into last night.

(6:03 a.m.)

And here I get to sit. Feeling hopeful. With a smile on my face. While singing takes place within.

It’s the same song with which I woke.

♪I See Grace 

Hallelujah, I stand amazed♪

Oh my! I did NOT see this coming! The first two verses. Shame. Mistakes. Reminders. Regret. Failures. All messing with my head. Oh thank You God!

Thank You that Your way is so much better than anything we try to concoct. Keep me looking for Your grace Blessed Father.

(6:40 a.m.)

Thank You for this opportunity to explore a mistake I made yesterday. Quite unintentionally. Yet it hurt another. Making him violently ill.

With all the apologies and “I’m so sorry”s spoken, I continue casting blame upon myself. Father God, thank You that Your forgiveness of us is far more complete.

As the music in my head continues to shuffle between ♪We Just Disagree♪ and the song mentioned above. The one about me seeing grace. I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to take me where You would have me. To a place of Your genuine grace.

Yes Father! I want to not only recognize Your forgiving grace when I see it. I want to stand amazed in it.

Do all You must in righting my thinking. I love, need, trust and want to be used by You exactly as You know is best. Do all You must. Thank You. Praise You.

(287 words ~ 6:51 a.m.)

comforting presence

 Sunday, May 17, 2026 (5:06 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

I’m here asking (Matthew 7:7) Your comforting presence for loved ones. The need is great. And real.

Friends and family are hurting. Feeling lost. And alone. 

(6:15 a.m.)

There are differing opinions regarding care choices. The one constant is our collective need of You Dear Lord. Your overwhelming comforting presence.

This I pray into the hearts, souls, minds and strength of all those in such desperate need of You. Father, You alone are good, great, glorious, gracious (Psalm 145:5-8). And our very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Mm, yes. You are our comfort and our strength. Thank You for the reminding Truth of Romans 15:13.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Thank You for yet another nod to Your comforting presence!

The song with which I woke this morning didn’t necessarily stem from roots in Your Word, yet Your Truth rings true in it. Father, thank You for the ways You garner our thoughts back to You.

(9:13 a.m.)

This many hours later and I’m still looking to You and Your comforting presence on behalf of others. Having time and opportunity to speak of Your guiding hand in changing the lives of this household, again I stand amazed at the love, grace and peace You provide. Thank You Father.

Searching to learn more about Your comforting presence I find that we have: “a transformative anchor, offering peace, rest, and strength in the midst of life’s deepest trials.” Amen!

Thank You that we are invited to rest in Your care. Surrender control. And receive Your peace.

Looking further at the lyrics to ♪We Just Disagree♪ I am blessed to be directed straight to Your Word. The apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians. “Peacefully setting aside differences and moving forward without assigning blame.”

Learning to live peaceably with others (Romans 12:18) is paramount to our own well being and peace of mind. You provide us that.

We can choose to avoid foolish quarrels (2 Timothy 2:23). Use kind, uplifting words (Proverbs 15:1). Lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). And be blanketed by Your uniquely comforting presence!

Father God, how I pray Your loving grace and peace over all. I love, need, trust and want You as absolute Lord of my life. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(424 words ~ 9:33 a.m.)

"beach morning"

 Saturday, May 16, 2026 (5:38 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for a lazy morning. Rather gloomy and overcast. Thank You for the interrupted sleep I had. Enough to produce a fairly spooky, detailed dream that I would much rather not remember. Except for the nurtured dragonfly.

(6:20 a.m.)

Taking quite awhile to look at the lifespan of dragonflies, my brother just drew my attention to the memories of waking up at the beach with our parents. Father, thank You that You allow us so many interests.

Circumstances and opportunities abound. Continue teaching me to use them well.

(6:42 a.m.)

Mm, yes please.

And would You just look at this! Searching “circumstances and opportunities” I find “challenges and growth.” Possibilities is the next word that comes up.

Taking the search one step further I add the words “with God.” Father, thank You for the privilege of bringing it all to You. Here I read, “difficult circumstances are often divine opportunities.”

Yes! Thank You for Your invitation to come as we are. To You. To the foot of the cross.

What an extraordinary opportunity it is to be loved by You. To take You at Your Word. To ‘trust Your promises and commands so completely that they become the anchor for our daily lives.’

An internet find says “living out this trust trust looks like: trusting over doubting, applying the Truth [not just reading it] and holding on to hope.” Father, do all You must in empowering me to do just this!

I’ve watched You changing me for decades. And here it is… spelled out in words I could never devise on my own.

“Watching God change us is an awe-inspiring, lifelong journey of spiritual transformation. It is the process where His grace works within us, gradually molding our character, renewing our minds, and aligning our everyday actions and desires with His heart.”

This overview from Saddleback Church goes even further in explaining my personal experience with You. Described as “both beautiful and deeply personal.” Listing this transformation as:

An Incremental Process: detailing a caterpillar’s step-by-step change into a butterfly; gradual, daily

Renewing the Mind: You changing us from the inside out

Experiencing His Presence: gaining an unexplained peace

Overcoming Through Surrender: requiring our yielding our plans to Yours. Opening our hearts to Your guidance.

Blessed Holy Father, how I thank You for speaking to me this morning. In ways I could never imagine. Do all You must that I spend this day [the one You have made (Psalm 118:24a)] rejoicing and being glad (v. 24b).

I love, need, trust and want to serve You well. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

new things

 Friday, May 15, 2026 (5:53 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank you! You provided me with so many new things yesterday. A late afternoon car trip. Complete with safe travels, great music and affordable passage. Thank You Father.

Thank You for a new to me dining experience. Concluded in a timely manner. With my decision to let go of [toss out] a pricey burger I didn’t enjoy. It may not seem like much, yet it’s brand new behavior for me.

Thank You for time with loved ones Dear God. Time spent together that is easier than it used to be. Thank You for helping me learn to drop my guard. Be less critical. While becoming more willing to accept and enjoy all that is offered to me.

Thank You for the ease with which I found the lyrics [and song title] to the phrase I woke up singing. Not quite correctly I might add.

♪When I saw left the 99

You saw [the] one♪

Oh Your goodness God! I have chills! I just “got” it!!! I’m “the one” You saw! The one You see on a regular, daily basis!

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You God! Thank You for the grace we get to routinely see. Every time we pause long enough to look for it.

♪I See Grace 

Hallelujah I stand amazed

I’m staring at an empty grave…

And just like that all my past has been erased♪

Most holy Father God, thank You for Your grace that covers our sin. Your grace that allows us to come before You exactly as the flawed, yet fully forgiven, creatures that we are.

Father, as You continue teaching and providing me with the new things You know are best I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to enable me in utilizing the apostle Paul’s prayer for the Philippian believers.

In it he prayed that their love would flourish and that they would not only love much but well. He wanted them to learn to love appropriately. Knowing that they needed to use their head and test their feelings so that their love would be sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush (Philippians 1:9-10a). 

He wanted them to “live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God” (vs.10b-11).

Yes please Father. I still want to learn to love like that. That would be another brand new thing for me.

Use me as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You Blessed God. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(441 words ~ 7:12 a.m.)

true blessings

 Thursday, May 14, 2026 (5:36 a.m.)

Awesome, Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! I woke up singing. ♪I Thank God… Hell lost another one, I am free Oh, I am free♪ How truly blessed are we?!

(6:02 a.m.)

Again You amaze me Lord!

Waking up so much earlier all I could confess to You was feeling tired. Weary. Worn. You supplied Your Truth in the song above. To where I am again smiling and feeling hopeful. Encouraged. Held and helped by You.

Searching “true blessings” with You, I was directed to a page describing the apostle Paul’s “faithful endurance” (2 Timothy 4:7). Here I was once more reminded of his obedient faith in You. Not an easy, piece of cake existence.

Father, thank You for the example Paul set in his unwavering commitment to You and sharing Your Good News with others. His faithfulness through all the challenges he faced continues to point our way to You. 

It is never in our own strength that we can accomplish what You have for us. Thank You that Paul knew to direct us to Your strength and mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).

(6:26 a.m.)

Another section of Your Word has me beaming. Truly blessed by another promise of healing. Hebrews 12:12-13.

“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

Most blessed God, how I thank You for these true blessings You provide. Empower me in using them as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You Dearest God. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(289 words ~ 6:33 a.m.)