Inside: How the comfort-filled, timeless truth of a song can minister to our souls, even in the middle of the night when we can’t sleep. ~
My word for 2026 is rejoice. I haven’t written about it much, but I have been attempting to live it out it by counting my blessings regularly.
While I’m typing up my morning prayers, I look back on the previous day and thank God for His good gifts, large and small. I name the blessings one by one, as the old hymn instructs. In the process, my strength increases and my hope expands.
This practice has been a lifesaver during a long season of transition.
These days, the changes going on in and around me are mostly good and normal and even expected. For example, adult daughters move to other states, start new jobs and get married. And a new son-in-law is a blessing, for sure.
Sorting it Out
But when all this happens for the first time, during a 12-month period that also includes recovery from a traumatic brain injury, it can take a while for a mom to sort it out. Especially when most of that mom’s processing is done mentally, rather than emotionally.
Case in point: I don’t cry much, but I often wake up throughout the night with a head full of thoughts. (Anyone else?) Lately, though, when my overloaded mind is interfering with my ability to sleep, the lyrics of another beloved hymn slip in and turn down the noise.
As I drift back to sleep, these truth-saturated words by Thomas O. Chisholm remind me of God’s unchanging character and His tender care throughout my life. I share them here in hopes that they will do the same for you, no matter what you are facing today.
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever will be.
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Vocal Version
If reading the lyrics of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” put you in the mood for listening, here is a beautiful rendition by Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans.
Mother’s Day Surprise
Speaking of new-morning mercies, this a.m. as I counted my blessings from the past weekend, a surprise visit from Lilly and her new husband topped the list. Randy and Molly were in on the secret, but I had no idea the newlyweds would be waiting in our garage when we got home from church on Mother’s Day.
In the days leading up to Sunday, I figured my first Mother’s Day with only one daughter at home would feel a little different. Happily, I have yet to experience that.
To borrow a line from the hymn, “Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.”
• • •
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♥ Lois
When I pray, I name my blessings one by one, as the old hymn instructs. In the process, my strength increases and my hope expands. Share on X The truth-saturated words of 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' remind me of God’s unchanging character and His tender care throughout my life. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
29 comments
What a surprise for Mothers Day for sure. How special and rejoiceful indeed.
Visiting today from Lisa’s
It’s probably the second time in my life that I have been genuinely surprised like that, Paula. So fun!
Wonderful post, Lois. It sounds like you are doing a fabulous job of rejoicing if you’ve gone through a traumatic brain injury. Wow, I’m glad you had a wonderful Mother’s Day and wish you many more. Not having emotions can be a great benefit, I think, but then if you can’t feel joy, it must be hard to express it. Not feeling anger would be a blessing. 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind words, Marsha. It’s been quite a journey, but I am thankful for God’s faithfulness. And yes, not feeling anger would be a blessing indeed!
Stopped by a second time from One Word 2026 – May.
A few random thoughts:
You have a beautiful family.
The hymn you shared was perfect to illustrate your journey with “rejoice”.
Thanks so much, Barb! Good to hear from you again!
Naming our gifts is such a healthy practice. I don’t always remember to do it, so I appreciate seeing reminders like yours to do so! It sounds like you got a good son-in-law to add to your blessings list. I’m happy for all of you, Lois. I know this past year has been a difficult one for you, so I’m glad there have been lots of joyful times along the way as you recover.
Thanks so much, Lisa. I sometimes get distracted by the not-so-good stuff from the last year, but it does help to refocus on the blessings. And yes, we are thankful for Lilly’s wonderful husband! Hope you are doing well, my friend.
Thank you for this reminder of God’s faithfulness. And what a lovely Mother’s Day. surprise!
You’re welcome, Debbie. And yes, it was a special Mother’s Day for sure!
I was counting blessings this week too, friend, and it struck me how many more there must be in just one day of my life than I can even imagine. What a generous God we belong to!
So glad you got to have all your kids for Mother’s Day!
Amen, Bethany! I’m still smiling about the Mother’s Day surprise!
The surprise visit from your daughter and her husband must have been a wonderful “Mother’s Day” unexpected gift! I’m sure 2026 Mother’s Day will bring about a sweet memory you can recall on those nights when sleep evades (which I also understand but tend to say the Lord’s Prayer over and over to lull me back into slumber).
Yes, Lynn … I’ve also found the Lord’s Prayer (and the 23rd Psalm) to be helpful during those wakeful moments. I hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day too, my friend.
Beautiful post, Lois. The hymn you shared is one of my all time favorites. I think “remembering” God’s past faithfulness is a powerful way to increase our trust in His presence in our current circumstances.
I agree 100 percent, Donna. Sometimes it takes me a while to get into “remembering mode,” but when I get there, it always helps.
That photo is sheer joy! Blessings, sweet friend!
Thanks so much, Joanne. I hope you are having a lovely week, my friend.
Oh Lois, I LOVE this picture!
xo
Me too, Linda. 💕
What a sweet Mother’s Day surprise!
Just this morning I was reading about God’s unchangeableness in Jen Wilkin’s book, None Like Him–how we can rely on Him because He doesn’t change, how we can’t lean our whole weight on anything else because everything else does change. How it’s good that we can change because we need to. Even knowing all those things, trusting God through changes, and knowing they are good and right–it can still take a while for our minds and emotions to process and get used to them. I love that hymn.
Barbara, thank you for sharing these insights from Jen Wilkin’s book. Truly, God is our rock, fortress and foundation. And as I just read in Psalm 103 this morning, I’m thankful He “knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.” Which I think means He understands the processes our minds and emotions go through to reach acceptance. One step at a time, right?
Thank you for sharing this song and its beautiful presence in your heart, Lois. We love that song! Isn’t it wonderful when those hymns pop into our hearts and calm our racing thoughts during the night? That’s awesome how Randy and your kids surprised you on Mother’s Day! 💕 And your family photo is beautiful, too. Randy is no longer the only guy in the family. 🙂 Love and blessings of strength for each day!
Thanks so much, Trudy! You’re right … Randy is still slightly outnumbered but not the only guy in the family anymore. 🙂 And yes, it’s such a blessing to be comforted by timeless truth in the middle of the night. I hope you are having a wonderful week, dear friend. 💕
What a fun Mother’s Day surprise!
It really was, Michele! It was the second time in recent years when I was absolutely and completely surprised by one of my girls. The other time was when Molly, then a freshman in college, came home for my birthday. I was looking out my kitchen window after supper when she drove up. I couldn’t believe it!
Thank you for those beautiful words this morning Lois! God is so faithful, kind, and generous to us. What an amazing Father.
Also, a very happy belated Mother’s Day to you!
Amen, Emily! And thank you for your Mother’s Day wishes. I hope you are having a lovely week!