corralled and funneled

 Saturday, July 11, 2026 (3:30 a.m.)

Good very early morning Lord,

Thank You for the willingness to just get up out of bed, rather than stay and fight with the sheets.

♪Get up, get up, get up

Get up out of that grave♪

(I Thank God)

Thank You that in these very early hours my brain is darting from thought to thought. Much like the dragonflies with which I have become so enamored.

(4:21 a.m.)

Father, thank You for this time to sit. Reflect. Explore. Sing. Become captivated. Enjoy. Smile. Hope. 

And just like that [snap!] my thoughts take another turn. How I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to corral and funnel them through what You know is best for me.

Thank You again for this early opportunity of being with You. Having looked first at the meaning of “this ungodly hour.” Shifting then to learning more about dragonflies and what they can teach us.

Diving into Your Word. Flitting from chapter to verse. Again I ask You to guide and direct my attention. Isaiah 43:19. 1 Peter 2:1-2. 

Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)

The Narrow Gate (Matthew 7:13-14)

(4:50 a.m.)

Now here I am, reading the whole of Proverbs 16. Trusting and believing that “We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer” (v.1).

Yes! “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (v. 9). “We may throw the dice (cast lots) but the LORD determines how they fall” (33).

Thank You that You are such a good and gracious, great and glorious God (Psalm 145:5-8). I love, need, trust and want You as my Guide in all I am, think, say and do.  

Prepare me for what comes next. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(305 words ~ 5:11 a.m.)

turning fear into faith

 Friday, July 10, 2026 (4:40 a.m.)

It’s no secret Lord… I have difficulty making decisions! AND following through with them once I do.

Thank You that it doesn’t have to stay this way. Thank You that You make change possible.

Just like making the decision to brew a second cup of coffee just now. Thank You Lord!

(4:44 a.m.)

While it may not seem like much to most, any decision I make is often deemed a big deal for me. I confess to You the tendency I have of being afraid of choosing incorrectly.

Even saying this to You lightens the burden I’m so prone to carrying. Thank You for bringing to mind the image of a donkey that may very well be standing behind door number 3.

Yes Father! These are the thoughts that keep me frozen in a state of decision paralysis. Thank You

(5:06 a.m.)

Yes, thank You Lord.

Thank You that as I sit and consider the various blessings You provide, I also get to sing out to You.

♪I don’t want to be afraid

Every time I face the waves

I don’t want to be afraid…

I don’t want to fear the storm

Just because I hear it roar

I don’t want to fear the storm♪

(Peace Be Still)

(5:23 a.m.)

Yes Lord. I want very much to trust You with all that I am. And all that I have. Decision making hasn’t been my strong suit throughout the years. It doesn’t have to remain as such.

I can trust You. You’ve proven that in large and small ways all this time. Do all You must that I truly learn to ♪set my feet upon the sea ’til I’m dancing in the deep♪ (Matthew 14:22-33).

(5:51 a.m.)

You have such a magnificent way about You. I want desperately to lean into that magnificence and not be afraid.

Like with the raccoon just now. Slam the door. Scare it off. Do the dishes. Keep talking to You. And plan my next steps.

Father, thank You for being the God You are. The One we can talk with about everything.

Use me today. Exactly as You know is best. Teaching me to turn to You in all things. Trusting. And not being afraid.

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

(399 words ~ 6:03 a.m.)

  

You did it!

 ♪Day and night

Night and day

Let incense arise♪

(Worthy of It All)

Thursday, July 9, 2026 (4:55 a.m.)

You did it God!

You reminded me that I wanted to wake up seeking Your new mercies. And I have been. Thank You.

A smile came much sooner than days of late. Contentment is overriding thoughts of concern. There’s a degree of eagerness deep within. Even the experiment with yesterday’s coffee grounds mixed with fresh flavors was successful. Thank You for that too.

Yes. Thanking You is far more beneficial for me than fretting. Smiling comes more readily than frowning. You are behind every single one of the positive changes I ever want/hope to achieve.

(5:38 a.m.)

There’s a brand new day of opportunity for me to explore. Use me exactly as You alone know is best. Loving. Forgiving. Hoping. Trusting. Believing (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Do all You must that I represent You well. I love, need, trust and want You Dear Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(173 words ~ 5:49 a.m.)

 

new mercies

 Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (4:50 a.m.)

Awesome, Holy God,

Thank You!

Sometimes it takes me longer than others to get there. Yet here I finally am. Thanking You. Praising You. Singing. Smiling. Hoping. And yes, after several hours of resisting, ready to be truly awake.

Some early hours are easier than others. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).

Perhaps that could become my waking thought each day. Instead of longing for more sleep, I'd bound out of bed. Eagerly searching to find Your new mercies that await us.

Yes!

New mercies described on the internet as “fresh forgiveness, grace, and compassion that God provides each day… every sunrise offers a clean slate and the strength needed for the present moment.”

Lord God, thank You!

Ephesians 1:10

(6:10 a.m.)

♪… I Trust In God, my Savior

The One who will never fail

He will never fail

Perfect submission, all is at rest

I know the Author of tomorrow has ordered my steps♪

Lord, thank You for the various ways You sing deep into my soul. Reading Your Word and songs come straight out. Thank You.

What would it be like Dear Lord, if I were truly to approach today as though I believe my steps are already ordered? To just take each challenge, obstacle and reward as it comes.

I’d like to attempt that trust today.

(6:29 a.m.)

Oh, most Holy God. You just keep Your Truth singing to me! Right now. Completely unexpected. A way I want to greet each morning. Singing joyfully to You!

♪Birds flying high, You know how I feel

Sun in the sky, You know how I feel

Breeze driftin’ on by, You know how I feel

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day

It’s a new life for me, yeah…

And I’m Feeling Good♪

Yes Father! I want to greet each new day feeling good. Do all You must in making my first thoughts in the morning those of joyous thanksgiving rather than desperate pleas for more sleep.

I love, need, trust and want You as my Portion; my cup of blessing (Psalm 16:5). “You will show me the way of life, granting me the [full] joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever” (v. 11). Yes. Yes. Oh, yes!

♪Day and night, night and day, let incense arise…♪

(Worthy of It all)

Yes! Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

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.)