The leaves of our enormous pecan tree whisper peace as breezes caress them. Birds sing joy and goodness as they chatter overhead. An array of birds flitting to and from our feeders speak of God’s vast creativity and care for all His creatures. A flaming red cardinal pauses to sit atop the biggest feeder . . . and my heart senses the presence of God.

Thank you, O God, for color. Thank you for the enormous variety and beauty of creation. Thank you for the music of the birds and the trees today. Thank you for evidences of You abounding all around me.

Thank you for the gift of life.

Thank you for the gift of our children, their wonderful spouses and our beautiful grandchildren. Thank you for your provision and protection of lives in a head on collision that could have turned out so very differently. Thank you that you have been and will be with them every step of the path toward healing.

Praise your name that you are with us on all our days, in all our circumstances. In our joys, and in our sorrows. In the known, and in the unknown. In mundane, ordinary, easy times and in the very hard times.

Praise your holy, almighty, strong, loving name. Praise God who is our strong foundation . . . who is my everything.

How firm a foundation

. . . as your days may demand, so shall your strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply;
The flame shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!