This is my music this morning.

After a busy and fun weekend with my boss friend at Big Cedar, I woke up this morning in my own bed, two purring cats spurring me to get up before I missed the opportunity.

This particular morning just feels like one long prayer. Moments of overwhelming gratitude and worship, moments of heartache and yearning for God’s healing touch.

I walked in the darkness and looked up at Orion and his belt, my companions in the early morning darkness. Thank you, God.

I thought about the weekend I had just experienced with my boss friend – how she pampered me and made me feel valuable and loved. She listens and understands. She makes me laugh and teaches me to appreciate. She stretches me. Thank you, God.

The vehicle did not cause me any trouble on my drive to and from SW Missouri. Thank you, God.

I made a new friend over the weekend. Thank you, God.

My husband worked so hard while I relaxed and enjoyed some fun, and when I returned home, he was there and showed me his handiwork in the form of new sliding pantry shelves. He then helped me move all the food to the shelves, and then he helped me turn the guest room and make a bed upstairs. He rarely slows down. He shows me how much he loves me by his handiwork in every corner of our home. He hugs me often. He tells me he loves me many times a day. He loves my family. And he is healed. Thank you, God.

Banana and Split were happy I returned home. Thank you, God.

The leaves are beginning to change colors and the sounds of crunch are once again music to my ears as I walk on fallen leaves. Thank you, God.

I am listening to a book that triggers some buried trauma but also reminds me how far I have come. “You led me through the fire in the darkest night.” Thank you, God.

I thought about my brother/sister-in-law’s message(s) yesterday and how my perspective has changed in the last year and a half that I have been blessed to be a part of their Quaker meeting. Thank you, God.

Yesterday, I received a heartbreaking message from my cousin that is a heartbeat “thup-THUP” thought and prayer now – Patricia and Kenny are my first thoughts, my middle thoughts, and my last thoughts as they begin a journey we know all too well. “You led me through the fire in the darkest night.” Thank you, God, because I know You will do this for them, too.

I got through the first 3 miles and turned to head back east. His gift was breathtaking: the sliver of moon above a horizon of early morning rainbow, dotted with clouds that would soon become a brilliant pink. I had to stop the words of my book that were keeping me company as I walked. I needed the silent awe for worship and to recognize the moment and the gift. Thank you, God.

The song says it all today. All my life He has been faithful and has been so, so good to me – there have been more times than not that I have been unlovable and unworthy of his goodness to me. But even in those times, God has run after me and has not let me go, and He has blessed me more than I can ever begin to acknowledge.

With every breath that I am able, I am going to sing of the goodness of God.