Seeing the Sunny Spots
When pain or disappointment,
Discouragement or grief
Creep in to block the sunshine
And mercy’s sweet relief,
I find I need a weapon
Resilient, quick, and strong
To fight them back and conquer
The thoughts that lead me wrong.
The weapons most effective
Against these tricky foes
Are thankfulness and praises,
And this is how it goes:
As soon as I feel anxious
Or sorry for myself,
I start to thank God quickly
For blessings and Himself.
“Lord, thank You for Your presence,
For such a lovely place,
For those who truly love me,
For saving me by grace.
And thank You for this moment
To stop and really see
The blessings You have given
So graciously to me.”
I start to thank and praise Him
For all that comes to mind,
And through it I’m reminded
How good He is and kind.
It shifts my mental focus
From storms and self to God;
It brings back heaven’s sunshine
And shows that doubt’s a fraud.
I sometimes have to do it
A dozen times a day,
But then I gain some traction
And find that as I pray
The Lord rolls back the storm clouds
Of selfish, downcast thoughts
And helps me see His blessings
In all the sunny spots.
Christina Joy Hommes
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Morning Praise
The sun is waking up again
To make the morning bright
The Lord has kept His promises
And watched me through the night
Another day is opening
To love and serve the Lord
To live for Him with every breath
He purchased and restored
Lord, help me greet the breaking dawn
With courage, hope, and praise
For You will guide the day to come
As all my former days
Christina Joy Hommes
Christian Friends
How sweet the loving fellowship
We share with Christian friends;
How deep the bond we have in Christ
With hope that never ends.
It’s like a flowing stream that sings,
A waterfall of grace,
Like air when rain has made it fresh,
A flower’s cheering face.
It brings such joy, renews the soul,
And makes a smiling heart,
Refreshing us through busy days
When we may be apart.
Lord, thank you for the friends you give –
Sweet treasures from above –
For all the joy and fellowship
That spring from Christian love.
Christina Joy Hommes
For Every Blessing
For every tender kindness
And blessing from above
For every gift of goodness
That shows Your perfect love
For every timely answer
That shows You hear my prayer
For every special blessing
That helps me see You’re there
For every wise direction
That keeps me far from sin
For guiding by Your Spirit
Who rules my heart within
For giving me the Bible
To teach what’s true and right
For every word of promise
That gives me strength and light
For sending Christ my Savior
To face the cross for me
For giving me salvation
Eternal, full, and free
For loved ones and for friendships
For church and all we share
For teaching me the gospel
To scatter everywhere
For beauty in creation
That shows Your strength and skill
For keeping and sustaining
According to Your will
For telling me of heaven
And endless life above
For all that You’re preparing
To show Your perfect love
For all of these, dear Father,
And so much more I raise
A heart of love and worship
That brings this thankful praise
Christina Joy Hommes
Where all My Hopes Are Built
Yes, I deserve to die,
My sin condemns my soul;
And by myself I can’t escape
Or shake its full control.
But Jesus died for me –
He took my sin and guilt,
He paid my debt upon the cross
Where all my hopes are built.
Now I am free indeed
For Christ has set me free!
He rose again and gave me life
For all eternity.
Henceforth I live in Him
And heed His loving call.
With grateful thanks I praise His Name
For He’s my all in all.
Christina Joy Hommes
The One I Will Praise
God orders my steps with compassion,
His mercies are new every day;
He knows what will come and prepares me,
He teaches my heart what to pray.
His goodness is strong and unfailing,
His faithfulness flows from above,
His grace is more sure than the mountains,
He anchors my hope in His love.
There’s no one so kind and so patient,
His holiness shines like the sun;
He showers my path with His blessings
And meets all my needs one by one.
The Lord is my strength and my portion,
My trust and the hope of my days,
The source of my life and my Savior,
My refuge, the One I will praise.
Christina Joy Hommes
