God's works in progress

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 (5:19 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for the waking up thought that we are Your works in progress. Teach me more on this please.

(5:49 a.m.)

Yes. Your works in progress.

Along with other verses and quotes, Philippians 2:12-16 encourages me to hope. My mind still tends to jump all over the place when verse 13 stops it short. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him.”

Yes, Father. Please!

The Life Recovery Bible comment tells us, “Obedience to God’s program is one of the requirements for spiritual growth… God not only asks us to live a godly life, He also provides us with the power to do it.”

Thank You Father.

“He works in us, giving us the desire and the ability to obey Him. As we get to know God by reading the Bible and spending time with Him in prayer, He can transform us from the inside out so we can shine brightly for Him.”

This I trust and believe Dearest Lord.

The Amplified Bible says, “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” Yes! You at work. In us.

Holy Father, I ask You to empower and enable me in living Your Truth. Worldwide English, “For God is at work in you. He helps you want to do it. And He helps you do what He wants you to do. Do everything without grumbling or making trouble” (vs. 13-14).

Please. This I pray in Your Son’s most holy name. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

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

"Thank You"

Monday, February 26, 2018 (8:02 a.m.)

Soooo…

Blessed God, how honest do You want me to be here? There are the thank Yous I could start with. The ones I absolutely mean. Or there are the grumps and the growls that keep showing up. 

Let’s go with the thank Yous.

You have blessed us so incredibly much. Far more than we have ever deserved.

With that being said [and true], why do I keep coming back to the crankiness?

Do a work in me I pray. You don’t ask too much from us. 

(10:20 a.m.)

You really don’t. You want us to hear that You, the Lord our God, are the one and only Lord and to love You with all of our hearts and souls and minds and strength and our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31). How hard is that, right?

Seemingly impossible coming from me!

When I’m sitting here, reading Your Word, it all makes perfect sense. I feel empowered. Emboldened. Enabled. But let me get up and start moving around and it all just seems to fly right out the window.

I’m confessing to You right now, I am once again stuck in the “if/then” mind trap. I grew up believing that if we play by the rules then all goes well. I’ve had that theory repeatedly proven false. Yet I still hold to trying to make it so.

Work with me here Lord. You know Your plan. You know Your best. You know Your will. And Your way. Guide and direct me in it. I see myself as powerless right now. A really good place to be.

Thank You Father. Thank You for once again reminding me that when I rely on You for strength, all my needs are met. Maybe not my wants. But definitely my needs. Keep working in me until I truly believe that that is enough. You are enough! I know that. And then…

So, again I say, “Thank You”. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for planning me. Thank You for wanting me.

Today is a wedding anniversary. 41 years of “laughs, cruises, adventure and love”. Thank You Father. Thank You for the work You have done AND for all You have yet to do in each of us.

We love You. We thank You. We praise You. And choose You. Do all You must in making us into the people You would have us be. Yours. Grateful. Loving. Kind. Thank You. Amen.

(420 words ~ 10:54 a.m.)

"Do it anyway."

Sunday, February 25, 2018 (5:59 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

Thank You! Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Yesterday I did NOT want to say that to You. I woke up grumbling. Grouchy. Anything but grateful. Then You reminded me… “Do it anyway.” And I did. Thank You Father.

Thank You for the immediate change in my attitude the moment I started just walking in place. Dishes were put away. The kitchen cleaned up. Recyclables taken out. Laundry sorted. With a plan to finish later.

Romans 7:17-20

God, You are...

Friday, February 23, 2018 (8:23 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You that You are all You say You are. Thank You that You are good. Holy. Kind. Merciful. Present.

good God and Father

Thursday, February 22, 2018 (6:46 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

It’s supposed to be an interesting next couple of days. I look to You to guide and direct us through them.

I am anticipating great joys accompanied by a few challenges. Do all You must in setting the stage for Your glorious outcome.

Thank You Father that we are coming to know and respect You as the good God and Father You truly are.

Romans 1:18-25

Psalm 19

Proverbs 3:3

Your goodness and grace

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 (8:38 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You that I get to come before You simply saying, “Thank You” when I don’t know what else to say.

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your plan. Thank You for Your goodness and Your grace.

Mm, yes. Your goodness and grace. Thank You that I get to turn to Your Word, learning more each time I come.

Is it the smile that reminds me of the lightness in my heart? Or vice versa?

Romans 12:3

for four (4:4)

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 (6:53 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. For four days we got to look at things through the eyes of a four year old. Thank You Father.

“For four” makes me think “Chapter 4, verse 4” and I turn to Galatians. “But when the right time came, God sent His Son…” The right time. Your Son. You knew what You were doing. 

Keep working in me to trust and believe that ‘You did this so that Jesus could buy freedom for those who were under the law. Your purpose was to make us Your children’ (v.5).

Truly Father, I long to live each day as Your child. ‘That is why You sent the Spirit of Your Son into our hearts. The Spirit cries out, “Father, dear Father”’ (6). Yes. Watching the love this particular four year old has for his parents and sibling gives me pause.

Yes Father. I want to love You as freely as a four year old; with the maturity of a grown up. Teach me the balance between complete freedom and whole-hearted obedience.

Over these past four days I witnessed first hand the fuming attitude of tasks being completed under protest. How often do I stop and growl at You, rather than embrace whatever it is You ask of me?

I love You Father. Help me become the loving, obedient child You sent Your Son to buy freedom for. Yes. Empower, embolden and enable me to this end. I love You. I thank You. I ask You. Amen.

(259 words ~ 8:42 a.m.)

"Stay here."

Monday, February 19, 2018 (7:33 a.m.)

Father God,

Thank You! You reminded me to “Stay here.” And I did. Thank You.

During the early morning hours my thoughts were taking me to regrets of the past and concerns in the future. The more thinking I did the further away from sleep I became.

Thank You that You helped me remember the importance of staying present in every single moment. I tend to run ahead or lag behind in my thinking. Thank You for again reminding me, “Stay here.”

Romans 8:31-39

such a blessing

Saturday, February 17, 2018 (7:34 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. Just to be able to come before You is such a blessing.

delving

Friday, February 16, 2018 (7:22 a.m.)

Holy God,

You are so good. I love You so much. Thank You that You are all You say You are.

You told Moses (Exodus 34:6), “I am the LORD, I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness.” Thank You Father.

Thank You that we get to delve into and study more of Your Truth. Mm, yes. Thank You Father. Comments for this chapter offer so much hope.

As we approach this section together, Father I am asking You to lead and guide me in what You would have me take away into the day. Reading The Life Recovery Bible comments, I am learning:

34:1-4 The people of Israel sinned against you in making the gold calf (32:1-35). You were willing to give them another chance. After Moses went down from Mount Sinai with the original tablets, he smashed them in his anger (32:19). You showed Your grace by rewriting them.

Thank You Father that “Our failures can never be so great that God will not forgive us.”

34:5-7 “As we commit ourselves to God and let Him change us, it is important that we get to know God’s character. He is compassionate, gracious, patient, loving, trustworthy, forgiving, and just.” Mm… thank You!

34:29-35 “This experience gave Moses the faith he needed to continue leading the Israelites through the wilderness. Drawing close to God should provide us with the strength we need to make it through our wilderness experience.” Oh yes please Father.

You are good. Steadfast. Perfect. All the things we are not. We are made in Your image. And You love us. Continue Your work in growing us as You wish.

I love You Father. And I truly find hope and strength while delving deeply into Your Word. Empower and embolden me in taking Your Truth with me into the day. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(341 words ~ 8:25 a.m.)

"Thanks Dad"

Thursday, February 15, 2018 (6:25 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. I got to go back to sleep this morning. Even to the point of dreaming. Detailed, haunting dreams that helped me realize I was truly sleeping. Thank You Father.

I am having a lot of crushing thoughts these days. Repeating “I trust You Jesus” is no longer cutting them short the way it had in weeks past. I’m anticipating getting to learn something new from You. Thanks Dad.

Yeah. Thanks Dad.

My earthly father would immediately correct that “yeah” to “Yes!” What do You say, Daddy God? Abba, Father. Papa.

I’m reading back and forth between Romans 8:15-17 and Galatians 4:4-7. What would You like my take away from this morning with You to be?

“This resurrection life [I] received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘What’s next, Papa?’” (The Message, Romans 8:15).

What would it be like to truly live each moment of every day as though I really believe Your Truth?

How often do I lovingly and tearfully sing ♪I’m no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God♪? Agreeing with and trusting every word and phrase.

Empower me to live this day in Your Truth. Knowing You. Loving You. Trusting You. Believing You to be all You claim. And myself, Your adopted child (Galatians 4:5).

Work in me I pray. Teach me the things You would have me think, say, be and do. I love You. I want to honor and serve You as You wish. I'm asking if it is truly okay to simply say, “Thanks Dad” meaning no sacrilege whatsoever.

I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(297 words ~ 7:33 a.m.)

"Please Daddy, fix it!"

Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018 (6:54 a.m.)

Holy, Loving God and Father,

Thank You. Praise You. Bless You. Keep You.

Where to start? Your peace. Your perfect peace!

I experienced it for a moment. I’m not sure if it was late last night or very early this morning. All I know is that I was extremely aware of being present, in that exact bit of time, wondering, “What is this feeling?”

There was a noticeable lack of any concern. A truly settled calmness all about and within me. That’s when I knew. THIS is ♪the peace that passes understanding down in my heart♪ I have sung about all these years.

I went to sleep ruminating on Mark 12:29-30. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (International Standard Version).

Mm, yes Father! YOU are God. I am not.

Mistakes I have made throughout my life are coming back to show their fruit. Some of them are quite ugly and destructive. While my first instinct is to focus on the cause and effect, instead I consciously give them to You with my heartfelt plea, “Please Daddy, fix it!”

Yes. Daddy! You were there through every single misstep. And here we are. Me, fully aware of my need for You. Heart, broken. Spirit, hopeful! You showed me Your perfect peace. I experienced its taste. I liked it. I want more.

Today we enter the season of Lent. I am unsure what exactly You would have me do with that. And I trust You to show me.

Perhaps a six week study of Galatians Chapter 6. Living the New Life? 

My past is what it was. Sins and mistakes I did before this moment cannot be undone. What I do from here on out will certainly have their own set of consequences. I look to You in empowering me to make the wholesome choices You would have me make.

This life I am living is Yours. Make it everything You want it to be. I love You Daddy God. I trust You to “fix it”!

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(379 words ~ 8:03 a.m.)

smiles

Tuesday, February 13, 2018 (7:13 a.m.)

Holy God, 

Thank You.

(7:25 a.m.)

Mm. Yes. Thank You!

Thank You that I get to smile. Yes, Father. Thank You especially for those times when I become aware of myself smiling.

It so often happens when I am considering this or that. Perhaps rehashing a past event. Or anticipating something yet to come. Seemingly out of nowhere I notice a lightness in my spirit.

Yes! It’s then I realize that I am smiling.

Thank You Father. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

And now I find a Proverb (15:13) speaking Your Truth regarding the power of smiles. Mm. Your Truth. Your power.

Many translations refer to a cheerful or glad face being made by a joyful, merry or happy heart. Bless You Father. Praise You. Thank You.

A lifetime of not smiling easily or often enough is explained in this profound Truth. The Voice says it wonderfully. “A warm, smiling face reveals a joy-filled heart, but heartache crushes the spirit and darkens the appearance.”

Yes, Father! It’s every time I notice myself smiling that I realize my heart is happy. I feel it deeply. And I want to share that joyful happiness with others.

Thank You Father. “When people are happy, they smile, but when they are sad, they look depressed” (Good News Translation).

Do all You must to enable and empower me in smiling and sharing Your Truth with others this day. I love You Father. I need You. I want You. I choose You. Thank You. Amen.

(263 words ~ 8:38 a.m.)

a tree of life

Monday, February 12, 2018 (7:13 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You. Again I start with the simplicity of those two words. They sound so much kinder than the growls and grumbles ramble around inside me.

Thank You for Your Truth. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the readiness with which to approach You.

Thank You for the ease in finding the words to the children’s praise song that immediately started singing itself to me. Charity Churchmouse’s The Warm Up Song. ♪Ha-Hallelujah, let’s warm our hearts to Jesus Ha-hallelujah, let’s all warm up with praise♪

Mm, yes. Warming up. Thank You Jesus.

(7:53 a.m.)

I am confessing irritability to You. There’s an underlying annoyance that keeps getting in my way. Something’s there that I don’t want to look at. Something unknown to me that I just want to get past.

Let’s start with that, shall we?

I want to thank. I love to praise. Breathing deeply helps so much. Then come the grumbles and growls. Forgive me I pray.

You have blessed us so incredibly much. I believe and trust You. I read Your Word and smile. I know You to be good. Thank You that You are.

Again I turn to Your Truth. Knowing, trusting, believing, asking. Yes Father, I am here asking You to do all You must in making me into the woman that You would have me be. One whose tongue is wholesome, gentle, soothing, healing, kind, peaceable, pleasant (Proverbs 15:4).

And here come the tears. Stinging my eyes.

Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your Word which is “full of living power… sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires… expos[ing] us for what we really are” (Hebrews 4:12).

You know exactly who and what I am. You know the my deepest hurts. And doubts. Thank You that You are bigger than them all.

I make mistakes. Don’t always use time well. Doubt myself and my abilities. And still You love me. Thank You Father.

Thank You that I get to come before You broken and sad. And You strengthen and heal me.

Sitting up straighter, smiling bigger, breathing deeper, I turn back to the Proverb (15:4) which speaks of “a tree of life”. The Passion Translation says, “When you speak healing words, you offer others fruit from the tree of life. But unhealthy, negative words do nothing but crush their hopes.”

Your Truth is so concise. The Living Bible, “Gentle words cause life and health; griping brings discouragement.” The Message, “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.”

I look to You, confessing my attempt to do these past few days on my own. I have not turned to with the simplest plea. Please Father, do for me all that I cannot do for myself. Loving others as You would have me love. Keeping my words [and my thoughts] kind.

I love You Father. Help me accomplish today that which You would me do. Perhaps a mountain of laundry? Some sorting and organizing? You know where You would have me start. With a ♪Ha-hallelujah…♪

Yes, Father! Thank You. I love You. I need You. I want You. I choose You. Use me as You wish. Amen.

(558 words ~ 8:44 a.m.)

Source of Power and Peace

Sunday, February 11, 2018 (11:38 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I just noticed another mistake. Simple enough. Easy to change. And I’ve decided to leave it alone and talk to You about it instead.

The other day (2/6/18) I planned to title a prayer “Source of Peace”. Inadvertently, rather automatically, it instead reads “Source of Power”. How cool is that? While considering You as our Source of Peace is relatively new to me, knowing You as our Source of Power came naturally.

Thank You Father. As our true Source of Power and Peace, I come to You right now feeling somewhat anxious. Irritated. Troubled. Bothered. I’ve made another mistake. Pushed something on the computer I should not have with no idea how to undo it.

I think of the insignificance of this tiny problem, yet I’m allowing it to take me quite near the proverbial edge. Help me I pray. “I trust You Jesus” is not cutting it right now.

(11:57 a.m.)

Mm, with a push of another button things have somehow improved. I confess to feeling even more unsettled. Blessed God, I don’t like not knowing what I’m doing.

Trusting You with life issues is one thing. Computer problems are quite another. Thank You for being SO much bigger than my tiny understanding of all things.

Thank You for allowing me to settle in and trust You even when I don’t know that is what I am doing. Just pausing. Confessing. Asking. And trusting You to change what I can’t is absolutely amazing.

Father, I ask You to take this day and the time You have allotted us to Your good and to Your glory. I love You. I long to serve You. And yes… I trust You Jesus! Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(299 words ~ 12:16 p.m.)

"this kind of fruit"

Sunday, February 11, 2018 (7:01 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Mm, yes. Thank You that when I don’t know what else to say I can always choose to say, “Thank You.”

Thank You for love. Thank You for joy. Thank You for peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. And self-control (Galatians 5:22b-23a). And where do these qualities begin? The Holy Spirit.

Yes! “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit…” (New Living Translation; Galatians 5:22a).

Mm… “this kind of fruit”. Holy God, thank You that You are so good to provide us with “this kind of fruit.”

Holy Spirit, thank You for controlling our lives. When we let You! Yes. We must choose to allow You charge over our hearts, our souls, our minds and our strength.

Waking up this morning I found myself starting to negatively replay a few recent mistakes. Thank You that the immediate thought that countered this way of thinking was “Count it all as joy” (James 1:2).

J.B. Phillips New Testament tells us, “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!” This runs so contrary to my natural bent.

Father, thank You that Your Truth teaches that when our faith is tested, endurance is produced and when fully developed we “become men of mature character with the right sort of independence” (vs. 3-4).

Yes, please. The Living Bible says, “for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when Your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”

Again, the correlation between the two sections. The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and Christians welcoming trouble (James 1:2-8). Fruit blooming and developing. Mm, yes. Continue Your work in me.

I love You. I need You. I want You. I seek You. Use me as You wish. Thank You. Amen.

(362 words ~ 8:33 a.m.)

James 1:2

Saturday, February 10, 2018 (6:23 a.m.)

Dearest, Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! Thank You for changes. Thank You for challenges. Thank You for successes. Thank You for failures. Mm. Yes. Who would have ever thought that I would truly come to thank You for failures?

James 1:2 (New Living Translation) tells us, “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.” Hmm… An opportunity for joy. Nothing but joy.

New Testament for Everyone refers to verses 1-3 as The Challenge of Faith and begins verse 2, “My dear family”. Mm, yes. We ARE family! YOUR family.

Thank You Jesus. Thank You that “when (y)our faith is put to the test, what comes out is patience.” Troubles. Trials. Faith. Patience.

Your good and perfect plan

Thursday, February 8, 2018 (6:44 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You!

Thank You for Your presence. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your guidance. Thank You for ??? Yes. What else is there?

Your plan. Your perfection. Your goodness. Mm, yes. Your good and perfect plan.

Most Dear and Holy God, thank You that I don’t know what today or tomorrow holds. Thank You that I get to be content in believing that You do.

Thank You for the privilege of learning to trust You. You are good. Your plan is perfect. And although I, more often than not, don’t have a clue what’s coming next, I am so very grateful to be able to say, “I trust You Jesus”.

Holding on to You is my lifeline. Pouring over Your Word is emotional to say the least!

Starting at Isaiah 46:10, “Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” Who can argue with that?

Reading over in the Psalms (27:13-14) I am reminded in The Life Recovery Bible comment that “We must determine, one day at a time, to follow God, patiently and confidently waiting for Him to protect and lead us.” Yes! Thank You for the hope that comes with Your Truth.

It is Psalm 16 that actually brings me to tears this morning. From David’s initial plea, “Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to You for refuge” (v. 1) I feel my soul nourished. He looked to You as his source of strength and joy. Aww, deep cleansing breath.

My head continues nodding through the verses. Yes. I agree. “You ARE my Master!” (v. 2). “All the good things I have come from You.”

It is You, “the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me” (7). I feel empowered as I read, “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me” (8).

Thank You Father!

“No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts His praises! My body rests in safety” (9). Yes Father, thank You.

Thank You that truly “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever” (11). Thank You that we do not have to live a life of fear, but one of joy and peace of mind and heart.

Thank You Father. Thank You Son. Thank You Holy Spirit. I love You. I trust You. I need You. Use me this day exactly as You wish. Thank You. Amen.

(454 words ~ 8:27 a.m.)

Source of Power

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 (6:09 a.m.)

“I trust You Jesus, I trust You Jesus, I trust You Jesus…”

It’s been my call to arms, my battle cry through most of the night. Unsettling conversations replayed in my mind were cut short every single time I replaced them with “I trust You Jesus”.

Thank You Lord that You are truly my source of peace (Micah 5:5). Thank You that the more I practice trusting, the more there is for me to learn about submitting, obeying and honoring You.

Thank You God. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit. I would be lost without You. Thank You for Your Word to guide and settle us. Thank You for Your Truth. Your promises. Your love. Your redemption. Your peace.

As we prepare to go out into this day I ask You to encompass every single aspect of it. Go before us to guide us. Mm, yes. Searching these words yielded this blessing:

“God go before you to lead you, behind you to protect you, beneath you to support you, beside you to befriend you. Do not be afraid. May the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon you. Do not be afraid.”

Yes. True Source of Peace I ask You to keep us centered and focused on You this day. Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor forsake you.”

Thank You Father. How I ask that we would truly “do better and pay attention” (2 Corinthians 13:11a) to all Your Word teaches us. “Try to get along and live peacefully with each other” (11b).

The apostle Paul ended his letter (Contemporary English Version) praying “that the Lord Jesus Christ will bless you and be kind to you! May God bless you with His love, and may the Holy Spirit join all your hearts together” (13). This I ask most Holy God. Thanking You. Praising You. Loving You. Amen.

(347 words ~ 7:19 a.m.)

And

Monday, February 5, 2018 (7:21 a.m.)

Holy God,

I am confessing tired. Hmm. Yes. Tired. And thankful.

(10:10 a.m.)

Yes. Thankful. Hopeful. And tired.

Thank You Jesus that we get to come to You EXACTLY as we are.

♪Just As I Am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!♪

Yes. Thank You that as I come to You the list of things I am grows. Tired. Thankful. Hopeful. Grateful. And blessed. So incredibly blessed.

You died so we could live. Not in a state of worry or fear, but in freedom. Freedom to love and share. Respect. Tend to. And care about the health and welfare of others.

We no longer have to play the ridiculous mind games we used to try on one another. No! We get to come to You. Exactly as we are.

Turning to John 6 [initially verse 37] I am now reading of You as The Bread of Life; 6:25-59.

trusting Jesus

Sunday, February 4, 2018 (7:37 a.m.)

Holy, Father God,

Thank You. It’s been a month since I started saying, “I trust You Jesus” on a regular basis. It’s becoming almost second nature.

Thoughts scramble in my mind. Each wanting my attention. Deep breath, followed by several “I trust You Jesus”es and I truly find myself settling. Mind. Body. Heart. Soul. Thank You Jesus.

Thank You that I get to practice truly putting my faith in You. Believing in You. Relying and depending on You. Yes. Trusting You to be and do all You have promised. Thank You.

I get to sit here. Reading. Singing. Hoping. Praying. Hymns remind me ♪’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word♪ and again I smile. Hope. Settle. Rest.

Thank You that I do NOT know what tomorrow [or the next moment] holds. But I DO know Who holds it! Our good and loving, faithful, kind and perfect God and Father.

Jesus, at Your last supper, You told Your disciples, “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me” (John 14:1). It’s through You that we come to know Him. You. “… the Way, the Truth and the Life” (v. 6).

The Life Recovery Bible comment (14:1-4) tells us, “We receive lasting comfort by putting our trust in God.” So true!

“Sometimes God gives us immediate deliverance from a painful situation. More often, He walks with us as we struggle with problems that never seem to end.” Hence the vital importance of trusting Jesus.

Hm… ♪Trusting Jesus ~ Simply trusting everyday, Trusting through a stormy day; Even when my faith is small, Trusting Jesus - that is all. Trusting as the moments fly, Trusting as the days go by; Trusting Him what e’er befall, Trusting Jesus - that is all♪

The comment cited above concludes, “God allows us to experience such trying circumstances to build character in us and strengthen our faith. When we place our trust in Jesus, we receive His peace in this life and the promise of a home with Him in eternity.”

Trust Jesus and receive His peace. It’s happening. I’m aware of it more often than not. Thank You. Praise You. Use me this day as You wish. I love You. Amen.

(378 words ~ 9:04 a.m.)

"something quick"

Saturday, February 3, 2018 (6:15 a.m.)

Holy God,

I cut our time together short the other day. Mid word actually. I was having quite the inspiring, feel good moments when I just up and left to take care of something quick.

Something quick and I’d be right back. I even left my Bible open. Fully expecting to come right back. That was two days ago.

I tried yesterday. One thing chasing after another kept me from succeeding. And now? Here I am. Smiling. Grateful. Hopeful. Asking… where do we go in Your Word this morning?

Searching “something quick” has taken me again to Proverbs 31. Reaching for my previously left open Bible I immediately look for the phrase that stood out to to me days ago.

A comment in The Life Recovery Bible [Philippians] “4:15-20…mutual respect and sharing - important qualities in any strong relationship”. Those were the words I was planning on coming back to the other day. Words that somewhat reflect “A Wife of Noble Character” described in Proverbs 31:10-31.

I have tears here Father. Tears because I long for this Truth to be thought true of me.

The Message begins this section “[Hymn to a Good Wife] A good woman is hard to find, and worth more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.”

And there the comparison ends. Thank You Father that this is a depiction of an ideal wife. Not an actual woman able to measure up to these ideal standards.

Thank You for the smiles that come rather easily as I consider how far away I am from ‘shopping for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoying knitting and sewing’. ‘Up before dawn’? Often. ‘Preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day’? Not as much as one would hope.

Looking, buying, planting… dresses for work, eager to get started. Yes. No. No. Not always. Sometimes.

And here come the tears again. Because the Truth is so heartfelt within me. I long for it to be true of me.

“She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking [um, no!]. She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.”

And herein lies the rub. I like to think I am. I try. And I fail more often than succeed. I have conditions Father. There’s usually nothing free to my giving.

“Her clothes are well-made and elegant” NOT! “and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.” I like the New Living Translation here. “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future.”

As I continue with the practice of “I trust You Jesus” this is becoming truer than ever before. Let what follows become even more so. “When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.” Yes, Blessed God! If I take one thing with me into this day, let it be worthwhile and kind words.

Provide everything I need in “keep[ing] an eye on everyone in her household, and keep[ing] them all busy and productive.” Let it truly come to pass that “Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: ‘Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!’”

Yes Holy Father, how I most sincerely ask that when all is said and done the one thing that is said about me is that I loved, trusted and feared You. Above all.

Work on my ability toward mutual respect and sharing this day, won’t You? Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(636 words ~ 7:47 a.m.)

5:43 2/1

Thursday, February 1, 2018 (7:14 a.m.)

Most Dear and Blessed God,

Thank You! Again I find myself smiling. Over the simplest, silliest things. Like the time and date of my awakening for the day. 5:43 a.m. on February 1. 5:43 2/1. Fun! Enjoyable. Surprisingly delighted. Again. Thank You.

Thank You for challenges. Thank You for mistakes. Thank You for a seemingly better understanding of myself than I believe I have ever had. I’m okay. I know what I’m doing. It’s okay to make mistakes. I need to pay close attention to whatever I am doing at the time…

Thank You Father. Thank You for Your love.Your love that provides our every need. Yes. Yes! Oh yes, Father thank You.

Philippians 4:19 (The Voice) “Know this: my God will also fill every need you have according to His glorious riches in Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King.” Mm, yes! Liberating King indeed.

You continue the work You started in me all those years ago. Long before I ever knew You. “For You shaped me, inside and out. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath.” Oh, and I thank You!

All those years I insisted on going my own way. Thinking I could somehow figure out the key to living as You would have me live. And here I am experiencing joys untold because of four power filled words. “I trust You Jesus.”

Things are going well? “I trust You Jesus.” Not to my liking? “I trust You Jesus.” Challenges? “I trust You Jesus.” Blessings? “I trust You Jesus.”

Awesome God and Father, Blessed Savior, Holy Spirit, I am grateful. Absolutely, completely grateful. None of what I have been doing these past four months is of my own. My heart, my soul, my mind and my strength has been… “supercharged”.

Yeah. How’s that for another random children’s praise song taking over my thinking?

♪Super-charged! Super-charged! Super-charged! I’m just a charged, charged, super-charged churchmouse; And I’m charged up with the love of the Lord. The Holy Ghost in me has set my spirit free, And Hall

God, You... ~ 1/31/18

Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (6:24 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Another month has f-l-o-w-n by. One of those “blink and it was gone” occurrences. A little like the ones I’ve been watching in the sky recently. Gorgeous colors. A rare super-blue-blood-moon-total-lunar-eclipse. Beauty and order only You could devise. Thank You Father.

Thank You for beauty I don’t even need to leave my home to see. Thank you for our home. And its inhabitants. Thank You for the healing that is taking place herein.

Blessed Holy God, we are grateful to You. You have allowed us. You have prepared us. You have accompanied us.You have led us. You have joined us. You have provided for us. You.

Mm, yes. God, You…

"Guide us Father" ~ 1/25/17

Thursday, January 25, 2018 (6:29 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! I don’t seem to have words to match my heart. Joy. Peace. Calm. Mixed with a twinge of fear.

Yes. There was redness and warmth near a surgical incision site. Is a visit to an ER imminent? None of us want to get ahead of ourselves. Yes Father. We long to follow Your lead.

Yes. Yes. Guide us Father. 

(7:03 a.m.)

Mm… And just like that, more peace.

“With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will shine on us. It will bring light to those who live in darkness, in the fear of death. It will guide us into the way that brings peace” (Luke 1:78-79 Easy-to-Read Version).