kept in a moment

 Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (4:49 a.m.)

Blessed God,

You did it again. You kept me in a moment. How truly I thank You for that!

Normally I would have attempted to rush through the awkwardness. Recognizing I didn’t want to go there, I may have tried several different distractions.

This time, I stayed. Right there. Listening. Praying. Asking (Matthew 7:7) You to keep me curious, rather than convinced.

Yes! Father, You reminded me to invite the Holy Spirit to join us at the breakfast table. And when it was my turn to share? I was able to speak Your Truth. In love (Ephesians 4:15a).

It is Your love I long to represent Dear Lord. Your love that teaches the importance of forgiveness.

“So then we will not be like children any more. Our minds will not become confused by strange ideas. We will not change what we believe, from one thing to another” (Ephesians 4:14a EasyEnglish Bible).

I experienced this Truth yesterday Dear Lord. Thank You for keeping me right there, in that very moment.

“Instead, we will love each other and we will speak God’s true message. As a result we will become more like Christ in every way. He is the head of the body, which is the church” (v. 15).

Mmm… Instead, we will love each other. How simple does that appear?!

Speaking God’s true message. And as a result? We will become more like Christ in every way. Father, this is a promise on which I want to build.

Worldwide English (New Testament tells us “We must say what is true and say it with love. In that way we will grow up in all things to be like Christ, who is the head of this body.”

Say what is true. With love. And grow up. You definitely have Your work cut out for You Lord!

How I ask You to continue doing all You must in making me receptive and obedient to Your teachings. I love, need, trust and want to serve and represent You well. Use me. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

naturalness

 Tuesday, July 21, 2026 (4:37 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

THANK YOU! Once again, You DO know what’s best! 

Waking hours ago I wasn’t so sure. Yet here I am now. Truly AGOG once more! Eager. Excited to tell. And… curious!

Mm, yes. Curiosity. One of my new best friends.

I used to think I needed more courage. Then I thought it was confidence I was after. Come to find out, it all begins with being curious. Or at the very least, a willingness to practice it.

Yesterday, I saw it in the swimming pool as plain as day. A woman nearing 80 still working to overcome her almost 65 years of fearful water experiences.

Father, thank You for the right place and time You orchestrated those 15 years ago that we would meet after an exercise class. Thank You for her willingness to hear me out. And for her desire to learn.

What an awesome example of wanting to let go of fear. Of being willing to show up regularly. And try new things. Different approaches. Simple and fun experiments.

Here I pause to thank You again for the harmony I experience with most things water related. The freedom. The joy. The naturalness. Yes! That’s the word.

Rarely do I have to think about what to do next when I’m surrounded by water. There's an ease. An absolute peacefulness that’s as natural to me as breathing.

Thank You for the deep desire You placed in me all those years ago to share this freedom with others. Here I am asking (Matthew 7:7) You to lead and guide me with the very next step.

There’s so much I don’t know or understand about most things. Oh, but there is such an eagerness to learn more.

(6:26 a.m.)

You do these things. In, with, by, through and for us. ESPECIALLY when we don’t fight the natural order of things. Like the physics behind gravity and buoyancy.

I don’t have to understand (Proverbs 3:5) either to fully experience and enjoy both. Father, thank You for all there is that I do not know or comprehend. Thank You for the desire to experiment, experience and enjoy more of all that You have for us.

Use me well. Teaching me to love well. Appropriately (Philippians 1:9).

I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Do all You must that I truly delight myself in You (Psalm 37:4a). And experience the naturalness of Your divine order. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(421 words ~ 6:38 a.m.)

so very many options

 Monday, July 20, 2026 (6:07 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for the options You provide us. So very many options.

(7:21 a.m.)

And this is where I come back to confessing to You my fear of making mistakes. I practically paralyze myself with indecision.

Thank You that Your love, mercy, grace and forgiveness cover it all. Yet… I still waver. Waffle. Refuse to take the risk of failing.

Thank You that even this I can bring before You. Again!

Thank You that we can look to Your Word and take refuge in You. Repeatedly.

Father, You allow us such great joy. In the simplest of things.

Yesterday it was the continued presence of a certain dragonfly. Flitting. Darting. Practically dancing quite near me. Unbelievable hope and joy encompassed me.

Lord God, I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to be with me every step and decision I make today. You ARE ‘my refuge, my place of safety; You are my God, and I trust You’ (Psalm 91:2).

Use me as only You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You. Continue teaching me the very fine art of being Your child. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(201 words ~ 7:45 a.m.)

sitting in silence

Sunday, July 19, 2026 (4:58 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

Thank You for the quiet. Stillness. Peacefulness.

(6:00 a.m.)

Habakkuk 2:20. “But the LORD is in His holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him."

♪Let My Words Be Few♪ 

(Ecclesiastes 5:2)

♪The Sound(s) of Silence♪

Psalm 16:11. “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.”

♪Day and night, night and day

Let incense arise♪

(Worthy of It All)

♪Don’t You Know It’s Time to Praise the Lord♪

(Psalm 22:3)

Father, how I thank You for this extended time of sitting with You. Reading. Exploring Your Word. And listening as the world around me wakens.

Birds are chirping. An occasional dog barks. Cars and trains can now be heard. And my thoughts are still settled on You. Thank You Lord.

Thank You for the option of sitting quietly before You, rather than ranting about my first mistake of the day. A simple goof that could have been completely avoided had I followed Your prompt to check the water reservoir of the coffee maker before adding more to it.

Here again, I thank You for the swing and the miss. Not the biggest error I’m sure to make today. But one that got my immediate attention. For which I am genuinely grateful.

Yes Father. Thank You for teaching me to truly “give thanks in all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I confess to being a hard sell in many ares. Thank You for the times You break through my resistance and allow me the peace that ultimately comes when Your Truth wins out (Philippians 4:9).

Thank You for the new to me phrase of our needing to be conduits of Your loving mercy, grace and forgiveness. Not reservoirs.

Use me as the channel You created me to be. I love, need, trust and want You as the absolute Lord of my life. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(339 words ~ 6:42 a.m.)

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.)