Kindness.

 Tuesday, February 28, 2023 (7:30 a.m.)

Kindness. This word keeps coming up for me. Thank You God. Praise You Father.

We are living in a world of seeming meanness. It’s so easy to spot. Thank You for the peace that washes over us when we become aware of the various kindnesses of others.

(8:14 a.m.)

Most Blessed God, how I thank You for the various ways You speak to us. Drawing our attention to Your will. Your way.

Thank You for Your Word of Truth and promises. For the privilege of sitting here with You. Actively seeking and finding verses that support Your call to kindness.

Proverbs 21:21

Micah 6:8

Love!

 Monday, February 27, 2023 (6:46 a.m.)

I love You, God.

(7:03 a.m.)

Well this is completely unexpected! Love. Not only is it a noun. It’s also a verb. An adjective. And an interjection.

Holy God, You amaze me. Thank You.

(7:50 a.m.)

Just this one word. Love. Said rather casually at first. Takes on such depth when looking at it more carefully.

As a noun? Denotes a strong feeling of emotional attachment. A favorable inclination or enthusiasm for something. An intense attraction or profound likeability. Reverence for something or someone. The act or nature of showing care or kind regard. Fervor or tireless devotion. Great respect or warm approval. A treaty agreeing to peace.

That last one is completely new to me. Thank You Father. There is something new for me to learn. Every single day.

(8:03 a.m.)

Oh so many words of description. And that’s just as noun!

Father, thank You that we are called to love You with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Mark 12:30). And our neighbors as ourselves (v. 31).

Thank You that You are willing to teach us to do exactly that. Day in. Day out.

I look to You Father. Seeking Your “help and forgiveness” in following the path You have for me. With “appropriate action” (Deuteronomy 6:5 The Life Recovery Bible comment) in cherishing and revering You, others and myself.

Do all You must in using me this day Dearest Dad. I love, need, trust and want You as Lord of my life. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(264 words ~ 8:17 a.m.)

drawing near

Sunday, February 26, 2023 (6:35 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. We get to keep coming before You.

Micah 6:8

Hebrews 10:19-22

“Face reality. Acknowledge sin. Seek forgiveness.” (Illustrated Bible Handbook Guilt).

(7:36 a.m.)

Thank You for this opportunity of drawing near to You. Directing our hearts into Your presence (desiringGod).

It is You Dearest God who has kept these two particular people together all these many years. Ups. Downs. Ins. Outs. And YOU holding us together through it all.

Continue Your work in us Dear Lord. Falling fresh on us. Melting, molding, filling and using us.

Thank You for singing ♪Spirit of the Living God♪ to me right here. Directing me to Galatians 5:16 and the apostle Paul’s instructions of letting the Holy Spirit guide our lives.

Beginning the second verse with ♪Soul of heaven, heart of God♪ I ask You to wash over us. Cleansing, teaching, holding, reaching both of us. Casting out all fear, keep being the ♪Holy presence, love divine♪ we need to shield, free, call and lead us into becoming the people You would have us be.

(8:39 a.m.)

Father, thank You for all You have done and are doing in teaching us to love and respect one another (1 Peter 3:1-7). It is only by Your grace that we have come as far as we have in Your “design for marriage” (The Life Recovery Bible comment). Keep up Your good and perfecting work Dear God.

We love, need, trust and want You as Lord of our lives. Use us. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(272 words ~ 9:25 a.m.)

all these many years

 Saturday, February 25, 2023 (7:21 a.m.)

Holy God,

(7:26 a.m.)

How grateful I am to You!

Forty-six years ago I made a decision that continues blessing me to this very day. I took a huge risk. Forgiveness. Coupled with patience. Understanding. Awareness. Acceptance.

These are big words Lord! Thank You for providing us all we have needed to continue choosing love and respect through all these many years. Mm, yes. It’s YOU behind our decision making. Thank You God!

Thank You for the changes You have made in our interests. Our priorities. Our devotion. To YOU!

Yes Lord. It is to You we owe all our thanks and praise. You who has worked in, with, by, through and for each of us all these many years. Fining and refining us. Shaping us as only You are able.

Father, I ask You to use us both this day. This day that serves as a reminder of our decision to truly commit to each other. “For better or worse. Richer or poorer. In sickness and in health…”

Thank You for the commitment we didn’t even know we were making at the time. To love and respect each other. Beginning with the Truth of Ephesians 5:22. Christian Standard Bible. “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”

You have provided us the ability of learning to put the other first. Thank You Lord. Continue Your powerful, cleansing work in each of us.

We love You God. We need, trust and want You as Lord of our lives. Use us. As You alone know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(272 words ~ 8:05 a.m.)

Reset.

 Friday, February 24, 2023 (7:10 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m asking for a reset. Reboot. Recharge. Restart. Renew.

And right here? A smile! Thank You Lord.

To prepare something for use. Revalue or adjust. Yes Father. Prepare me for Your use. Adjusting me as You know is best.

Psalm 19:7, 23:3; Matthew 11:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Mm, learning more about resetting. Breaking from the ordinary. Pushing pause to interferences. Receiving from the Lord. I want You in it all Dearest God.

(8:08 a.m.)

Thank You Father. As I turn to You, asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) I am so aware of my need for Your presence in every aspect of this day.

Cue the music for this prayer time! ♪I’m everything I am Because You Love[d] Me♪ Present tense. Not past!

Okay. Yeah. Present. Past. AND future! Thank You God.

Reset me Lord. My heart. Soul. Mind. And strength (Mark 12:30). I want to love You with all of them. And? My neighbor as myself (v. 31).

Reset. Reorder. Renew (Isaiah 40:31). Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. I love You. Amen.

(203 words ~ 9:10 a.m.)

profoundly blessed

 Thursday, February 23, 2023 (7:21 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! You bless us profoundly.

Yes! In just acknowledging Your blessings I am again aware of Your presence. Thank You God.

Numbers 6:24-26

2 Chronicles 7:11-22

Psalm 121

2 Corinthians 4:6

Quoting an internet source, “Lord, help me inhale what You are breathing out on me.” Mm, yes!

"all in"

 Wednesday, February 22, 2023 (6:29 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I love you!

Thank You for the honor and privilege of such a statement. Thank You too for the opportunity of learning more of what loving You is about.

Hmm. Yesterday I got to hear of the difference between and the importance of noticing and wondering. Observing. And being curious.

Dearest God, thank You. It’s You I come to with my heart. My soul. My mind. My strength. Wanting to love You with them all (Matthew 12:30).

(7:26 a.m.)

Breakfast and kitchen duties allowed me time to ponder Your love for us. And that which You’d have us offer and show to others.

Father God, there are mistakes I have made through the years. Grudges I’ve held. Bitterness that kept me from seeing the beauty that was right in front of me. Forgive me Lord.

I want to live this day as a better disciple of Yours. Especially where 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is concerned.

(7:49 a.m.)

I have tears Lord! In my eyes. Heart. And soul.

Various translations of 1 Corinthians 13:7 are truly piercing my heart (Hebrews 4:12). Thank You for Your Word of Truth and promises Dear God.

I have spent far too many years NOT believing the best of every person (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition). Forgive me Lord. I confess to giving up on people. Not trusting. Losing hope. And quitting (Easy-to-Read Version).

Oh most Dear and Blessed God, I am asking (Matthew 7:7) You to teach me to love as You would have me love. I want to be “all in” with Your will for me.

Continue Your perfecting work in me. Fining and refining me as we go (Malachi 3:3-4).

I love You. Use me for Your good and to Your glory. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(314 words ~ 8:17 a.m.)

vice versa

 Tuesday, February 21, 2023 (6:46 a.m.)

(7:28 a.m.)

Holy God,

A phone call interruption. And now I’m back. Still pondering the word I woke up thinking of.

Vice versa. The other way around. NOT opposite!

I confess to mixing up my priorities Lord. Putting thoughts of importances before You. Forgive me Father.

How perfect it seems that ♪Both Sides Now♪ began singing in my head. ♪I’ve looked at love [or is it life? Oh! It’s both! And clouds as well] from both sides now♪

Here it becomes even more perfect as the theme song of this day. ♪From win and lose [give and take; up and down] It’s love’s/life’s/clouds illusions I recall I really don’t know love/life/clouds at all♪

Without You at the very center of my thinking I really don’t know anything at all. I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to empower, embolden, enable me in putting Your will before mine.

You are our hope! Let me live Your Word.

Psalm 25:3-4, 27:4, 43:3-4; Jeremiah 2:5, 11, 13; John 15:1-17. Yes Father. Continue speaking to me that I would hear You. Listen. And OBEY!

I love You Lord. Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me that as I consider putting first things first today I will remember YOU are our First Thing! Not vice versa.

Thank You. Praise You. Use me. Amen.

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

symbols

 Monday, February 20, 2023 (7:26 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You for Your goodness. Your glory. Your grace. Your greatness.

Yes Lord. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Kindness. Love.

Hm. Yes. Thank You for all the faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) You provide each and every single one of us.

Searching the internet to learn more, I find symbols that are new to me. Shining light. Olive tree. Dove. Peacock. Swallow. Anchored cross. Sun. An EKG line representing hope. What’s that about?

(8:48 a.m.)

Oh! “Where there’s life, there’s hope!” Yes! Thank You God.

Psalm 52:8

Lamentations 3:2-26

Romans 15:13

Thank You Father. You are our God of hope. Use me this day. Exactly as You alone know is best. Honestly. Openly. Willingly.

I love You. I need, trust and want You to live in and shine through me. Do all You must.

(10:04 a.m.)

Thank You God. Amen.

(161 words ~ 10:05 a.m.)

Thankfulness

 Sunday, February 19, 2023 (3:13 p.m.)

Thank You God! Yes. Yes! Thank You God!!!

teeter-totter thoughts

 Saturday, February 18, 2023 (6:41 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You! Thank You for hope. And joy. And teeter-totter thoughts with You.

2 Samuel 22:2; Psalm 113; Ecclesiastes 3:1-9; Haggai 2:6-9; Philippians 2:5-10.

(7:21 a.m.)

Father, thank You for the joy I experienced just last week riding up and down on a beachfront seesaw. Becoming keenly aware of the balance involved in staying safe and unhurt.

Blessed Lord, spending so much time in my often negative thinking it was the reminder of the fun involved in the up and down of a teeter-totter that helped snap me back to smiling. Holy God, You are so good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. Kind. Loving. Constant. And I truly am grateful.

Use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. I want to trust You to lead and guide my thoughts, words and actions. You are the One True God of the playground in my mind! Do all You must that I will handle the ups and downs of today as You would have me.

Thank You! Praise You. I love You. Amen.

(192 words ~ 7:57 a.m.)

Thank You Lord!

Friday, February 17, 2023 (6:30 a.m.)

Thank You Lord!

I just heard myself say, “Oh my God!” Followed by a smile. And a true sense of calm. Peace. Some internal joy. Mm, yes! Thank You Lord!

I put You off yesterday. Waiting for the Spirit to move me. Ignoring when it did. Forgive me Lord.

Thank You for a new day. And another chance to be grateful.

Awed...

 Wednesday, February 15, 2023 (7:13 a.m.)

Garden Grove, CA

(7:44 a.m.)

Holy God,

Again I thank You. So many reasons to smile.

The joys of pre-teenagers. So “cool” in their own ways. And easily delighted in others.

Father, thank You for this opportunity to spend time together. Freely. Without expectations. With a willingness to be surprised. Amazed. Awed.

Mm, yes Dear Lord. Today I ask (Matthew 7:7) that I would fully embrace being odd awed! I’m smiling [denoting my happy heart] as I consider all that is unusual, strange, peculiar, offbeat about myself.

Rather than hide ♪This Little Light of Mine♪ under a bushel (Matthew 5:14-16, Luke 11:33) as I have done all these years, I truly want to ♪let it shine, let it shine, let it shine♪

Blessed God, You are so good. Gracious. Glorious. Great. And I want to live this day proclaiming exactly that.

I’m asking You to shine in, with, by, through and for me. I am truly sensing the old falling away and the new coming on (2 Corinthians 5:17).

It’s been decades of learning to let You have control of my thoughts, words and actions. Continue Your work in teaching me to allow You full charge over every single aspect of my being.

I love You Lord. I need, trust and want You. Keep doing all You must in making me the odd  awed woman You have for me to be. Use me as only You know is best. Leading, guiding and directing me as You would have me go. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(275 words ~ 8:34 a.m.)

♪Your Presence, Lord♪

 Tuesday, February 14, 2023 (1:00 p.m.)

Thank You God!

Confessing sadness to You earlier, I’m praising Your Truth and promises now. Thank You for the privilege of witnessing ♪Your presence Lord♪

Attending the celebration of a young man’s life, we saw and heard Your love and faithfulness proclaimed. Thank You for blessing us Dear Lord. Hold this family of loved ones close to You.

Bless them. Keep them. Make Your face shine on them. Be gracious to them. Turn Your face toward them. And give them each Your peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

a very happy heart

 Tuesday, February 14, 2023 (6:55 a.m.)

Good morning Blessed God,

Again I thank You for Your presence. Yes Lord. When I have nothing else to say, there is always something for which to give You thanks.

Like the smile I just noticed. Thank You for using smiles to remind me that my heart is happy. Hmm. Yes. Thank You for my very happy heart.

I confess to its feeling heavy with loss these past several days. It’s when I realize that I’m smiling that I remember that You truly are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious.

You do not leave us alone in our circumstances. Your Word of Truth and promises reminds us this. Thank You God.

Searching verses to support my trust in You, I find Psalm 13:5-6. The Message. “I’ve thrown myself headlong into Your arms - I’m celebrating Your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers.”

I’m reminded of this with every smile I notice. And every song that comes to me. Thank You Father.

Use me this day. The one set aside to celebrate love. Let Your love be easily recognized by my thoughts, words and actions.

I love You. I need, trust and want You to continue guiding and directing my rambling mind. Reminding me as often as is necessary that my heart truly is very happy. In You. With You. By, through and for You!

Thank You Father. Praise You. Amen.

(246 words ~ 7:41 a.m.)

wholehearted praise

 Monday, February 13, 2023 (7:04 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

I am confessing sadness this morning Lord. You are great. Good. Glorious. Gracious. I believe this wholeheartedly. Fearful thoughts keep coming in and breaking my praise.

Thank You God. Here’s another smile! Brought about by such a thing as praise breaks. Broken and unbroken praises. Teach me more Dear Lord. Teach me more I ask (Matthew 7:7).

You provide us choices. Fear? Faith! Sadness. Hope. Life. Death. Blessings. Curses (Deuteronomy 30:19). Criticism, condemnation. Praise (Psalm 29).

Blessed God, how I thank You for the blessings of hope You provide. We each have the choice of fretting [thinking deeply about something that makes one unhappy, angry, or worried]. Or praising. Worshiping. Celebrating. Esteeming. Revering.

Many years ago You taught me the importance of Fully Esteeming And Revering You. Psalm 130. Yes!

I can choose to let my thoughts take me all over places of despair. OR I can bring them back to You. Taking them captive (2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 12:2).

Father, I ask You to keep working in me. Ridding me of the fearful thoughts that would keep me stuck. And replacing them with wholehearted praise.

Yes Lord. This morning I give You the fear and sadness. Asking You to bless me with Your presence.

♪Holy Spirit You are welcome here Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for To be overcome by Your presence, Lord♪

Mm. Yes! All the other songs [♪Cannons♪, ♪Broken Praise♪] that have started singing fade as I consider ♪Your presence, Lord There’s nothing worth more That could ever come close No thing can compare You’re our living hope Your presence, Lord I’ve tasted and seen Of the sweetest of loves Where my heart becomes free And my shame is undone Your presence Lord♪

Yes. Yes!

♪Let us become more aware of Your presence Let us experience the glory of Your goodness♪ With wholehearted praise.

Father, I love You. I need, trust and want You. Thank You for this time to confess sadness and be blessed by Your presence.

Use me as only You know is best (Romans 9:21). As Your vessel. Praising You as we go. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(381 words ~ 8:39 a.m.)