smiling contentedly

 Tuesday, October 31, 2023 (7:11 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Lead me this morning. Guide me.

(7:27 a.m.)

Lots of distracting thoughts this morning.

The Message Hebrews 12:2-3 “Discipline in a Long-Distance Race” Thank You Father. Illustrated Bible Handbook Chapter 12:1-13. Discipline Run Your Marathon: 12:1-3.

Faith. Crowd of witnesses. Focus on Christ. Mm, yes. Thank You God.

Exhale. Deep inhalation. Release of excess muscle tension. Settling in. Smiling. Grateful.

The Life Recovery Bible. Faith HEBREWS12:1-4 “…we are told to pace ourself and bear the pain with patience. And remember, others who have run the same race and finished well are cheering us on!”

I’m smiling contentedly Lord. Thrilled with the ways You work in my thinking.

Misreading one word in the section above, I laughed as I realized it wasn’t “the pain OF patience.” Father, thank You for the various ways You call us more deeply into treasuring Your Word.

Considering being “surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith” (Hebrews 12:1a) grounds me. “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus” (1b-2a).

Mm, yes Blessed God. Keep my eyes on Jesus! Do that in, with, by, through and for me. Continue bringing my focus back to all He has done on our behalves.

I love, need, trust and want You. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(275 words ~ 8:23 a.m.)