enthralled or enraptured

 Monday, January 19, 2026 (4:15 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. There was sleep. Rest. And the sounds of trains.

(5:13 a.m.)

I’m really wondering what it is with me and the sounds of trains these days.

(6:39 a.m.)

Praise You God! I’ve spent hours trying to find some praise. Finally I searched “praising God when one feels out of sorts” and look what I found.

Psalm 51:15. The Passion Translation. An AI overview says, “the verse expresses a deep longing for restored praise.” That’s me! Moping around here. Wanting desperately to give You whole-hearted praise and thanksgiving.

“Lord God, unlock my heart, unlock my lips, and I will overcome with my joyous praise!” That’s the first hint of a smile I can remember having this morning. Thank You Father.

I just heard another train whistle and wondered again about my recent fascination with them. Father, I ask (Matthew 7:7a) You to lead me in the direction You would have me go.

I looked up the meaning to the words enthralled and enraptured trying to decide which best describes my attention to the train sounds. Taking the search one step further I added Your name to the mix.

The dreaded AI states, “Being ‘enraptured by God’ means being completely captivated, fascinated, and overwhelmed with intense joy, love, and awe for the Divine, often leading to a deep, focused intimacy, a surrender of self, and a desire to do His will, moving beyond mere worldly concerns into a spiritual ecstasy or profound connection. It signifies a spiritual state where God’s presence feels more real than the physical world, fostering worship, trust, and guidance, sometimes described as a spiritual ‘rapture’ or transport.”

Key aspects of being enraptured by You include deep fascination. Overwhelming joy. Intimacy and focus. Spiritual ecstasy (rapture). Surrender and Trust. Oh yes please Dear Lord.

Here (hear!) again are the sounds of trains surrounding me. Perhaps I can use them as reminders of Your deep love for Your children. An absolute sense of peace is washing over me as I consider the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10) as far more than that of the passing trains.

Another point toward the Psalms (42:5,11; 43:5) and I am again reading for myself. “Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again - my Savior and my God!”

Yes. Again I ask You to unlock my heart and my lips that I will overcome with my joyous praise! Not just any kind of praise Dear Lord. JOYOUS praise!

Do all You must that I will worship, adore, glorify and enJOY You as You designed. I love, need, trust and want You. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Joyously! Amen.

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