"Whatever!"

 Friday, September 30, 2022 (5:39 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! My plan for this morning has already been altered. The moment I heard water running outside. Thank You Lord for hearing.

Yes! Hearing is what first alerted me to the gurgle of the overflowing toilet yesterday. Also to the problem the air conditioning unit was having. Thank You God that I was able to hear these things. And make adjustments.

Thank You too that I want to give thanks rather than grumble and growl about various inconveniences. You provide so many blessings. I’d much rather focus on those.

Work with me again this day in changing my attitude. My first response to interrupted plans is rarely praise! The expletives come far more readily than respectful language.

Here again I look to You. Knowing, trusting, honoring, believing You to be the One who can change my heart, as well as my mouth!

Thank You for the opportunities these past few days of sharing Philippians 4:4-9 with others. Today I ask You to implement the apostle Paul’s teaching Words of Encouragement in, with, by, through and for me.

I need You Dearest Father. I want to “Always be full of joy in the Lord” (v. 4). To ‘let everyone see that I am considerate in all I do’ (5). That could truly be a stretch!

Not worrying about anything; instead, praying about everything Telling You what I need, and thanking You for all You have done (6) is absolutely how I want to approach each day. Singing. Smiling. Standing firm and staying my mind on You and the Truth of Your Word.

Yes Dearest Lord! I want to learn to ‘think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent and worthy of praise’ (New American Bible (Revised Edition).

(7:09 a.m.)

And here I thank You again.

You provided kind words for me to use to ask for the help I needed. You did that God. You changed my heart. My disposition. You took away the meanness. Thank You.

Use me this day Dearest God. Exactly as only You know is best. I want to glorify and enjoy You. Do all You must to this end. I love, need, trust and want You. Praise You. Amen.

(382 words ~ 7:21 a.m.)

♪...beyond all measure...♪

 Thursday, September 29, 2022 (5:35 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You! I knew the song as soon as it started. A word here [treasure]. A phrase there [beyond all measure]. And finally, the title [Counting Every Blessing].

Mm, yes Father. Thank You for the opportunity. The privilege. The call to “give thanks in all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

♪I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing Letting go and trusting when I cannot see I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing Surely every season You are good to me♪

Holy Father God, how truly blessed we are! To be loved by You. Thank You for every single smile that comes my way. Reminding me that You are in charge.

(7:00 a.m.)

How ironic. Or is it just like You?

Oh, no. Ironic is absolutely the word! “happening in the opposite way to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this”

Yep! Irony [a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result] at its best. Or was it worse?

Here I was thanking You for untold blessings one minute and watching in disbelief as a toilet overflowed the next. Holy God, THANK YOU that in the midst of truly not knowing what to do [and telling You so] all the necessary supplies (a plunger, towels, bucket, mop, washing machine, soap and running water...) were here at my easy disposal.

Thank You for the ability to come to You even with this. Confessing “I don’t know what to do. I really don’t know what to do.” You reminded me to smile. To say, “thank You.” And to do the next thing.

Thank You for all You provide. Use me this day Dearest Lord. ♪… counting every blessing Surely every season You are good to me♪ You are! All the time.

Thank You Father. We truly have ♪been blessed beyond all measure♪ Amen.

(319 words ~ 7:20 a.m.)

I AM Yours!

 Wednesday, September 28, 2022 (4:22 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You. Good sleep. Some song [… win some/lose some]. And a very odd word [folderol].

(5:49 a.m.)

Much reading. A bit of searching. And just now came the song! Jason Mraz. ♪I’m Yours♪

Thank You that I AM Yours, Dear Lord!

(6:30 a.m.)

All this time. More reading. Thoughts swirling. And now? You! Always You, Dear God.

Thank You Blessed Father. Thank You that You alone are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. Kind. Loving. All the things we need a ♪good, good Father♪ to be.

Mm. Holy God, how I thank You for the ways You guide our thinking. Our hearts. Singing to our souls. Changing fears to FAITH. Thank You for loving us SO much.

Thank You for the music in my head, Lord. All pointing back to You.

Thank You for the record of David’s songs we have in the book of Psalms. He sang out “I love You, LORD; You are my strength” (18:1).

Illustrated Bible Handbook tells of this Psalm, “Shout out joy and love! David’s feelings when delivered from Saul and his other enemies. In graphic language David portrays God coming to aid His trusting servant.”

I want to be Your trusting servant God. Shouting out the joy and love You alone provide.

You work in us. And I am grateful.

Verse 30 of Psalm 18 reinforces Your Truth. “God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.”

David experienced Your saving grace. Firsthand. And still he failed. Thank You for all the examples You provide us of our need for You.

Thank You for waking me with the oddest word I can remember for awhile. Folderol. “Trivial or nonsensical fuss; foolishness; a long and complicated procedure that seems tiresome or pointless.” I want this NOT to represent my worship of You!

Looking at words that mean the opposite I find: straight-talking, fact, truth, wisdom, agreement, peace, quiet. Work these into me this day I pray Dear Lord.

And the phrase of that song I woke up singing? ♪And nothing’s gonna stop me but Divine Intervention I reckon, it’s my turn To win some or LEARN some♪

Yes! Blessed God. Continue teaching me that I would learn what it is You would have me take with me into this day. I love You. I need You. I trust You. I want You. Do all You know is best. In. With. By. Through. And for me. Be glorified in my thoughts, words, and deeds. Thank You. Praise You. ♪I’m Yours♪

Use me Dear Lord. To Your good and Your glory. Amen.

(451 words ~ 7:21 a.m.)

A Manual for Living

 Tuesday, September 27, 2022 (6:36 a.m.)

Good morning Blessed God,

Thank You that we are still learning. To listen. Be kind. Considerate. Work together.

Speak with me this morning about the importance of learning. Still.

Thank You that as soon as I asked, I was sent directly to “Proverbs 1:1-6. Wise Sayings of Solomon A Manual for Living” (The Message). Mm, isn’t that exactly what is necessary Lord? A Manual for Living.

Mm, Father God. Thank You for providing our every need. Long before any awareness of our own lacking.

“These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David’s son, Israel’s king - Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going; A manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair; To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. There’s something here also for seasoned men and women, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn - Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.”

As I sit, considering all You are and do, I move down one more verse. “Start with GOD - the first in learning is bowing down to GOD; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning” (Proverbs1:7).

Blessed Father God, I love You. I need, trust and want You to be Lord of my life. Of this day. Do all You know is best. For Your good and Your glory. Use me. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(265 words ~ 8:06 a.m.)

looking for Jesus

 Monday, September 26, 2022 (4:53 a.m.)

Holy Blessed God,

Thank You. Again. Still. Continuously. Thank You.

There’s a song singing within. I almost have it. And then? It’s gone again. Maybe it’s Disney? Pocahontas? Moana?

Looking. Searching. Not finding. Haven’t asked. Reversing. U-turning. Bringing the day back to Your feet Dear Lord. Smiling. Thinking. Wanting to praise and glorify You.

Yes Dear Lord, in whatever way You want know is best. Let Your name be praised. When I’m going to be looking this hard for some elusive thing, let it be You I seek!

(6:43 a.m.)

Searching. Reading. And soon I was back to sleep.

Lord, how I thank You. Again.

I put my eyes on You. Learning of conversions [the apostle Paul and Bilquis Sheikh]. Directed to Deuteronomy 4:29 and Proverbs 8:17 repeatedly. And the next thing I knew, the song.

Moana! Not sure why. Looking to You for direction. ♪How Far I’ll Go♪

Blessed God, I love You. I confess to feeling scattered. All over the place. And it still comes back to looking for You. Your Son. Your Holy Spirit.

As Moses urged Israel to obey (Deuteronomy 4:1-12), warned against idolatry (vs. 13-31) and reminded that There Is Only One God (32-42) I ask You to continue Your work in, with, by, through and for us. Father, You absolutely know all that is best.

Turning to Proverbs 8:17 the intensity of the music in my head increases. Reading of Your love for us, I stand firm on the Truth that “Those who search will surely find me.”

Praise You God! Taking a liberty with the lyrics that insist on being heard I give them worshipfully to You.

♪I’ve been staring at the edge of the water Long as I can remember, never knowing why I wish I could be the perfect daughter But I come back to the water, no matter how hard I try Every turn I take, every trail I track Every path I make, every road leads back To the place I know where I cannot go Where I long to be♪

Father God, I give You my heart. My soul. My mind. My strength. Asking (Matthew 7:7) You to use me as You alone know is best. I long to follow You as I continue looking for Jesus in this day.

Thank You for all You are. And all You do. Lead, guide, embolden and enable me in living this day as You would have me.

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

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

"Taste and see"

 Sunday, September 25, 2022 (6:00 a.m.)

Holy God,

A word stuck out at me last night. Savor. I knew right then that I want to experience savoring You.

(7:16 a.m.)

This may very well be a first. Searching with You until the verse (Psalm 34:8) finally solidified with me. Not distracted by other things. Seeking to find where You would guide me. Truly savoring Your Word until it rang true for me.

(8:12 a.m.)

Pause for necessary maintenance. Return to learn more.

Illustrated Bible Handbook. “Psalm 34. Protection granted at a time when David acted unwisely stimulated this teaching psalm on the benefits of relationship with God.” I confess to feeling comforted every time I’m reminded that Bible heroes acted unwisely.

Thank You God. You underlie all our choices. Follow You? Or not.

(9:37 a.m.)

Lots of interruptions. And returns to savoring You.

Holy God, how truly I thank You for the kindnesses You provide us. Psalm 34:8. “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the person who goes to Him for safety” (New International Reader’s Version).

Thank You for the song that came to mind last night at the reading of the one word. Savor. Followed immediately by the internal music of ♪Sabor a Mí♪ [Taste of Me].

In all the years of humming, singing and dancing to this one song, I have never addressed YOU as the overall Taste we are savoring. Thank You Father for fresh thoughts accompanying Your Truth.

I do want to continue tasting and seeing that You are good. Use me this day in reflecting Your goodness to others. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(284 words ~ 9:58 a.m.)

acknowledging blessings

 Saturday, September 24, 2022 (5:11 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m here again. Maybe only for a little while. Asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) for more rest please.

(6:48 a.m.)

Thank You Lord.

More sleep happened. And I am grateful. Thank You for the numerous blessings You provide. Many of them unnoticed. Several unacknowledged.

Psalm 40:5. “Oh LORD my God, You have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all Your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.”

Oh so true Dear God. So true!

Thank You for all the behind the scenes work You do. In, with, by, through and for us. Often without any awareness on our parts.

Thank You for the reminders You send for us to be glad. Grateful. In the forms of music. Smiles. Nature. Kindnesses.

Reading in and of Your Word I am incredibly, supremely, truly, uniquely blessed. Father thank You yet again for reminding me of the importance of saying, “Thank You God!” Regularly. Wholeheartedly. Often.

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

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

Time.

 Friday, September 23, 2022 (9:17 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! You blessed us again. Fun time away with grandsons. Mm, yes Lord. Time.

Sitting. Talking. Laughing. Playing. Praying. Yes. We prayed. Together. And individually. Thanking You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking at Your gates of goodness (Matthew 7:7).

(10:01 a.m.)

Searching Your Word. Following one lead to the next. And coming all the way back to the verse with which I started. Under the title Effective Prayer. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.”

Father God, You have been answering our prayers. Changing our hearts. Providing our needs.

enJOY!

 Wednesday, September 21. 2022 (5:48 a.m.)

Holy God,

We have early morning plans. Plus big ideas for the remainder of the day. I’m here. Giving them ALL to You.

You blessed me yesterday. Reminding me to enJOY the moment I am in. Thank You Lord. I want to continue practicing being present. Not thinking ahead. Or dredging up the past. No Sir. I give this day back to You. For Your good and Your glory.

I am asking us to be filled with Your Holy Spirit. That we would be guided, directed and obedient to His leading.

Psalm 27:14

Psalm 143:8-9

Proverbs 16:9

Proverbs 19:21

Father, I love You. I ask You to provide all that You know is best. Sync the plans we’ve been making with those that You know are most beneficial.

We truly desire to glorify and enJOY You forever. Beginning now.

Thank You. Praise You. Use us. Amen.

(159  words ~ 6:23 a.m.)

internal directive

 Tuesday, September 20, 2022 (1:25 p.m.)

“EnJOY this!”

That is the very real sensation I just encountered. Sitting here. Breathing deeply. Thoughts beginning to swirl. Immediately countered by the internal directive. “EnJOY this!”

Yes. Please. I want to enjoy exactly what I’m doing. At every given moment.

I’m here to glorify and enjoy You forever. Let me begin in that direction. Now. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(69 words ~ 1:31 p.m.)

learning to listen

 Tuesday, September 20, 2022 (5:34 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

You have us working together as a team. Listening to one another. Learning.

(6:26 a.m.)

Yes Lord. You have us learning to listen. To You. And each other.

Thank You. Praise You. It’s been a long time coming. Thank You for Your work in making us honest. Open. And willing. To listen. And learn.

Most Holy God, thank You that we have Your Word to lead and guide us. Thank You that just as I begin to consider all You are and do, I‘m reminded of the Truth of John 1:1.

King James Version. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” While acknowledging to knowing the verse, I confess to not fully understanding its depth.

Illustrated Bible Handbook teaches, “John launches us back before Creation to introduce Jesus. Jesus is ‘the Word’: God Himself, who existed before the beginning (1:1). The title focuses our attention on Jesus as the One through whom God has always expressed Himself (Luke 10:22; John 14:9).”

Wanting to learn even more about listening, I dig deeper into Your Word. Hebrews 1:1-3. The importance of getting to know Jesus. Your ultimate Word!

Searching about learning to listen, I find what to do when mistakes are made. Own them! Forgive self and move forward. Show grace. To self and others. Celebrate that we can learn more from our mistakes than our successes.

God, You are so very good! Thank You.

Going back to examine Samuel’s experience of learning to listen to You (1 Samuel 3:1-10) I grow excited as I read. I want to know You well enough for my reply to echo his. “Speak, your servant is listening” (v.10).

Continue Your mighty work in each of us Dear Lord. Teaching us to listen. To You. Your leading. And to one another.

Thank You for Your presence in our lives. I love, need, trust and want to follow You as You lead. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(360 words ~ 7:36 a.m.)

LOVE!

 3:33 a.m.

♪Groovy Kind of Love♪

♪This is Dedicated to the One I Love♪

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 The Message

Monday, September 19, 2022 (4:11 a.m.)

Most Dear and Blessed God,

Thank You for Your love! Your love for us. Ours for You. And one another. Mm, yes. Thank You!

(6:26 a.m.)

♪I Call Your Name♪

Holy God,

There was more [VERY unexpected] sleep. Thank You.

Yes. Thank You for all You do on our behalf.

You reminded me yesterday of the importance  of being honest, open and willing with You. I confessed feeling overwhelmed and in great need of guidance. Assistance. Once again, You provided.

You have continued Your work in changing my heart. Allowing me to reach out. Asking for what I needed. Reminding me to be loving and kind. Respectful.

You, Dear God, are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. Kind. Perfect. And I appreciate You. Admire. Accept. And adapt my ways to Yours.

Interesting that in all these years of practicing those four A’s with my attitude toward respecting my husband, this is the first time I’ve applied it toward You. Thank You Dearest God for the many ways You work in us.

Take this morning’s soundtrack for example. Waking to ♪We’ve got a Groovy Kind of Love♪ was perfect. Smiling as I walked now the hall, BAM! ♪This is Dedicated to the One I Love♪ seemingly came out of nowhere.

Thank You Father. In both instances I offered the songs up to You.

Thank You for the opportunity to readily share 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 with a much loved one last night. And again this morning in The Message’s paraphrase.

How desperately I need to be reminded of the apostle Paul’s description of what love truly is. As well as what it is not.

Thank You too for his prayer for the Philippian believers (Philippians 1:9). All these years later I am blessed by his encouragement for them. Personalizing it I ask that our love will flourish. That we would “learn to love appropriately.” Using our heads, testing our feelings so that our “love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush.” I want 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.”

Yes! This is what I want and ask (Matthew 7:7) of You. Do all You must that I will live this day in with, by, through and for You. I love You. I need, trust and want to do Your will. Make me obedient to Your way. Thank You Dear Lord. Praise You. Amen.

(458 words ~ 7:29 a.m.)