Heaven's Song

"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything." Ephesians 5:18b-20

"Would you buy me a music book for Christmas so I can sing the songs?" asked my blond pipe-curled granddaughter. The one who couldn't yet read or follow notes but always sang from somewhere deep within her soul.

The music called them both, she and her baby brother, in the middle of the store. They sang and twirled and clapped their hands. Uninhibited soul celebration that couldn't be stilled. 

Isn't it Jesus who said we should be more like children? 

(Psst...put on your happy feet and dance over to {re}fresh for the rest of the story, won't you?)

Right This Very Minute

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

Right this very minute my nose and toes are cold so I wrap them up in cozy fleece and slip right into warm fluffy scuffs. Pen in hand, I scratch my free flowing thoughts across the page hoping inspiration comes. Last week's schedule wore me out and I grasp for wisdom through it all - some tidbit to share and a God revelation.

But, God interrupts and whispers, "Right this very minute."

"What?" I ask.

"What are you thankful for, right this very minute?"

"Everything. I'm thankful for everything."

"Be specific."

So, the list begins. Right this very minute, I'm thankful for:

• open piano music sitting above the ebony and ivory keys
• heat that warms during these cold autumn days
• full cupboards that nourish and satisfy this body
• a loving family
• celebrating my father's 81st birthday on Thursday
• forgiveness and fresh starts
• peace and quiet to think and listen

These are all good gifts - indescribably good gifts that meet needs and add joy - from a generously loving God. And when I stop, right this very minute, and give thanks to the Giver my heart smiles and so does His. We don't have to look for huge, life-changing revelation in every moment...God just wants us to notice the little things because all the little things add up and point to a listening, living God. He is the most indescribable gift.

Every moment of every day, whether we notice it or not, God generously gives good gifts to His children. Have you noticed lately? Will you take the time and look around? What are you thankful for, right this very minute? Let's bless one another and God's heart.

Praise Gone Mute

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’"

Mark 12:30

With no voice, how was I to praise? What sweet sound of worship could I offer? I stood in awkward silence amongst my family in a crowded sanctuary dressed in reds and greens, wanting with all my heart to lift my voice in praise. But the sacrifice had already been offered; my voice ̶ fallen victim to seasonal laryngitis.

“What do I have to offer you, my God and my King on this silent night?” I begged.
 Clearing my throat, I squeaked out a string of monotone harmonies to which my concerned three-year-old granddaughter asked, “Grams? Why does your voice sound so funny?” If her ears cringed from my singing laryngitis, I knew it I’d better stop before those directly in front of us turned ‘round with pitiful smiles.

Again, I asked, “What do I have to offer you, my God? How do I praise you with muted voice?”

The choir stood close while we sat quiet ̶ listening. And then, His Spirit moved; swept over me and through the room swelling hearts until those seeking were filled with in audible praise. You could see it in our faces, read it in our movement, almost touch it-God with us. 

Worship is more than singing, more than a song and a voice. God created us with bodies, minds, and spirits and asks us to worship Him with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and strength. And when we do, He draws near and we experience God with us.

When we find ourselves limited either physically, emotionally, or spiritually, God says, “I’m limitless. Find a way to worship me from where you are (even in silence) and I will meet you there.”

Pausing for Thanksgiving: Shoebox Letters

"Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord." Psalm 102:18

Tucked away up under the eaves sits an army-green footlocker full of early courting mementos and shoebox letters. 

We lived eight hours apart that first year, a decade before desktop computers and cell phones, so our affection spilled across blank pages at least three times a week.

 Those personal, hand-written words expressing emotions, drawing visions of our future now lay stacked atop one another--hidden treasures for future generations.

David, the shepherd boy and king, poured love-words out. Long days and nights spent in solitude--watching, feeling, expressing--living life. David's psalms, heart-cries, gratitudes to God, the creator of everything--stored away.

Opening Psalms today, I felt like a child discovering his hidden treasure of shoebox love letters to God. His raw affection poured out for all to read--uncontainable emotions, hopes, dreams, and prayers. His letters written not only to his audience of One, but "for a future generation, that a people not yet created (you and me) may praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18).

Envisioning the eyes of future generations combing my words is something I often ponder as a writer. My shoebox love letters tell the story of courtship meant only for my family's eyes. I imagine our children, grandchildren, maybe great grandchildren giggling and crying over them as our story unfolds in their imaginations.

Yet, I wonder of my other writings--my public words. What do these words tell of my heart? Do they accurately tell my love story between me and God? Do they move the reader to worship? Do they bring glory to God?

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

It's been a privilege meeting some She Speaks writers this summer through Proverbs 31 Ministries. Their words move my heart to worship and praise God every time I read their blogs. I'm excited to host a few of them right here on Dawn's New Day throughout November and December.  Our first guest post will be this Thursday, November 10th by Heather Albondi. I know you'll be blessed as she pauses for thanksgiving.

Thankful Thursday: Comfort Food

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you." Isaiah 66:13

The youngest daughter of three and many years between my closest sister, great comfort came in times spent at Mother's side. The sweetest times enjoyed baking and licking remnants of chocolate bliss off beaters and spoons and squeezing the extra gooeyness from the Hershey wrappers onto my tongue.

Maybe that's why brownies are one of my favorite comfort foods? Each time I slit open a package of mix and fold in eggs, oil, and water the chocolate perfume  stirs up memories. Sitting on the counter or propped on knees at the formica table helping Mother with dessert and feeling safe, loved.

It's been decades since those counter-top perches illicited brownie comforts. Today, when comfort is needed--far beyond a gulp of chocolate, a hug or kiss a loved one can offer--where do we turn? Who can fill that Mother-comfort space, offer the bliss of safety and love all at once? Our Father. Not the father who offers his name but the one who created our souls. Who better to comfort and speak to our hearts than the One who formed us in our mother's womb?

On this Thankful Thursday, I am so ever grateful for:

• Being fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image
• Comforting words from my heavenly Father
• Enjoying Mother, still
• Licking batter from the bowl
• Smelling brownies baking 

What are you grateful for today? Won't you please share with us and help in offering up a pleasing fragrance of praise to God's throne today?

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

"Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." Isaiah 49:13

Sweet Worship From Generation to Generation

“Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.” Psalm 79: 13


Since our children married I find myself longing for them during Sunday morning worship. I miss watching them get lost in praise and witnessing God’s precious Spirit wash over their faces.


God must have been listening to my heart because he gathered my family together for worship, this Sunday night. As the lights dimmed and the music began to swell my heart was full as I stood amongst my family who invited worship. Soon, my three year old granddaughter beckoned me to dance. “Grams, can we dance? Will you dance with me?”


I must admit, at first I struggled with how to use this as a teachable moment for her; to teach her that we dance or raise our hand in worship to Jesus, not just because it’s fun to move to the beat of the drums. Then Jesus whispered, “Do not hinder the little children to come to me.” So, I kicked of my shoes (and Dakota’s too) and we danced and we swayed and we worshiped Jesus together. There we were, side-by-side lifting our voices, raising our hands, raising our banners of praise to the Lord. I find it almost inexplicable.

In a quiet moment near the end, the band began to whisper a melody that has been sung to comfort four generations in my family:

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There’s just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus. Let all heaven and earth proclaim. Kings and kingdoms may all pass away, but there’s something about that name.”

I was swallowed up in God’s presence at that moment, holding my granddaughter close, watching those familiar faces soaked in His presence; I was so grateful to be worshiping with my family. I am thankful that He has blessed my family from generation to generation with a passion to praise Him.


Thank you Lord, for the blessing me with a family that worships you. May our lives continue to honor you and our lips to worship you from generation to generation. Amen.

"His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation." Luke 1:50