Lord Jesus, today in my garden I couldn’t believe that a hummingbird actually fluttered down and landed on my finger! It was sooo You to give me that serendipity. When the world hands me discouragement and despair, You gift me with delights and a glimpse of heaven. I am thankful to belong to You.

Lord God, I feel like a missing person today. Like I am lost in a strange wood, alone and beyond hope of finding my way home. No one can seem to find me or understand me. I barely understand myself! Please meet me where I am and strengthen me. Press Your gentle righteous hand against my feverish cheek and guide me out of this lonely place and out into Your light.

Dear Lord, I admit it. Sometimes I am afraid to be still before You—not because I’m worried You will remain silent—but I’m afraid you will speak and say words I do not want to hear! There, I’d said it. I am nervous that You might want me to do something bold like speak up when I would rather be silent. I know that things did not go well for Jonah when he disobeyed and fled from You. Please help me with this human frailty. Please build up my trust in You, help me to really listen, and give me the courage I need to follow through with Your will!

Dear God, the Bible speaks of fools. It is easy to spot a fool, but not so easy to see one in the mirror. I want to laugh at that, but there is too much nagging truth here. But in spite of my avoidance of reality, please show me when I am being foolish and when I need a loving rebuke. My family and friends will certainly thank You. And I will too!

Dear Lord, sometimes my kids ask me for stuff—and that is good—but I also love the times when they just want to snuggle on my lap to be with me. You know, because they love me. Well, I can easily see a parallel truth here in that You too love it when I spend time with You as a friend—because that is what You have called me—rather than jumping straight ahead into my wish-list. So, today I want to just sit here quietly and enjoy fellowshipping with my very best Friend. Have I told You lately, Jesus, how much I love You?

Dear Jesus, You know that I am forever trying to transform chaos into order. Which is hard when you have kids! But I tidy my garden. Refurbish my house. I see that pretty much everything needs a complete makeover or at least some fine-tuning! Why is that? Surely it is because I am made in Your image. After all, that lovely redeeming attribute comes from You. Our souls yearn to make what is messy-ugly into something delightful and valuable. Something foul into something fresh. And I rejoice whenever I witness Your transformative power in people’s lives and in mine. Jesus, may I never add to the chaos of this world or circumvent Your Divine imprint on my life!

Lord, I gotta be honest, I am having an Eve moment right now. I have succumbed to temptation again, and all I want to do is run away and hide. And yet I know that is the way of the serpent—to keep moving away from the light and deeper into the darkness. That will never do. I love You, and I trust You, Lord. I would rather be chastised by You—a holy God—than to ever be exalted by the enemy!

Dear God, in my endless search for wellness, trying to feel my best and look my best, I have not always been as fastidious as I should been concerning my quest for spiritual health. Spending time in Your Living Word is a powerful way to awaken and refresh and revitalize my soul. Please take me to those green pastures and quiet waters that Your Word speaks of so eloquently, and may I come away restored in spirit, knowing You better and loving You more.

Dear Jesus, right now, I am in a season of pain, and I cannot find my way out. I feel lonely, tired, and there are some days when I am more than a little scared. I need Your help—Your strength and comfort. I know that You are a friend to the friendless. You are a refuge in times of peril. Dear Lord, be my everything in this season and in every season of my life…

Mighty God, as You well know, my favorite Book of the Bible is Ruth. She has so many of the attributes I want as Your child. Ruth was loyal, loving, and strong. She was generous in spirit and best of all, she loved You with her whole heart! Thank You for including Ruth’s rare and wonderful story in Your Word. Maybe I will read that book again right now!

Lord God, a lovely and delicate perfume can be so pleasant, comforting, and welcoming. Sometimes I come across folks who give off a heavenly scent just by the way they live their lives. I want to be that person, Lord, who wafts through her days sending out the sweet scents of love and goodness and wonder. Yes, and may that aroma rise to the heavenlies and be pleasing to You most of all!

Dear God, wouldn’t my life be easier with a daily ta-do list from You? Then I would always know Your perfect will—the path of life. But then there’d be no need for any intimate companionship between us. Hmm. On second thought, my list idea sounds too impersonal. We were meant for fellowship. So, even if we have to wrestle out all the daily details, I choose to be more fully in Your presence and to know the profound joy of this sacred dance of ours!