with purpose and joy

Monday, April 6, 2026 (6:39 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You

 I woke hours ago. Thinking how one moment leads to the next. Followed by another. Until an hour, day, weeks, months, years, decades, an entire lifetime have been lived.

Father God, I am truly amazed by how quickly moments pass. So often without any thought or recognition.

I want to learn to live each moment You’ve allotted me with purpose. And joy. Hmm, yes. With purpose and joy.

Blessed Lord, this Lenten season has given me many opportunities to get to know myself a little bit better. To pay closer attention to my own particular quirks and peculiarities. Thank You for this Dearest Dad.

I can honestly say to You, I am learning to look back, at the present and toward whatever is ahead with a greater acceptance of myself than ever before. Thank You Father. This is truly a post Easter celebration.

I want to utilize each moment You have set for me. Learning to live, love and laugh with You on a moment by moment basis.

Searching what this might mean, I find instructions on living abundantly. Isn’t that what Jesus spoke of in His Good Shepherd analogy (John 10:10b)?

Because of various doubts and fears I have entertained throughout my lifetime, the thief has definitely been able to steal, kill and destroy (v. 10:10a) so much of the abundance Jesus came to give.

Thank You for another reminder to trust You. In all things. At all times. Every single moment.

I also read that I am to love without fear. Which for me also involves trusting. You! 

Loving You, others and myself with all aspects of myself [heart, soul, mind and strength] as recited by Jesus Himself (Mark 12:30-31) can only be achieved in, with, by, through and for the power of Your Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). I cannot will myself into obedience. Only into complete surrender. Allowing Your perfect love to remove all fear (1 John 4:18).

Remembering to laugh, especially in the most dire of circumstances, provides me another opportunity to practice Your Truth and promises! Thank You Father.

Proverbs 15:13 “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.”

Proverbs 15:15 “For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continued feast.”

Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

Use the moments You have set for me that I will live the life You designed. Love each opportunity You provide. And laugh with the joy Jesus made possible.

I love, need, trust and want You dear Lord. Thank You for every, single moment You have planned. Praise You for Your goodness and Your grace. Do all You must. Amen.

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