I Think Of You

ByJim Stephens

Reading:  Philippians 1; Psalm 107

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 I always pray for you and I make my requests with a heart full of joy. 7 It’s right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart.  (Philippians 1:3-4, 7 NLT)

Each morning as I finish my Bible reading, I open my laptop and begin to write today’s GraceNotes devotional. I write from the Spirit-stirrings in my heart—sometimes encouragement, sometimes convicting challenge, sometimes a mixture of both. I write GraceNotes for me, but I also write it for you!

As I begin to write, I think of you. Faces of friends, names of people I know and love in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Jamaica. Friends in the UK, across Europe, the Middle East, Asia. Friends in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa. Don’t be disappointed if I didn’t mention your nation or location. There are so many more readers I haven’t met, in places I haven’t visited!

But each morning, I think of you. God brings your face or name to mind, and I think of a time we were together, a word you spoke to me, an experience we shared. And I thank God for you. Sometimes I pray a specific prayer for you because I know a challenge you’re facing. Sometimes I simply smile and speak a blessing for you.

This morning, I let my thoughts sweep around the world, and many of your names and faces came to mind. I miss you! Dear friends I’ve never met, I thought of you as well. I’d love to see you and share a moment of grace with you. I spoke a blessing for you and prayed that these daily GraceNotes devotionals would bring comfort, challenge, encouragement, and hope to you each day as you face life’s joys, pain, and routines.

And I hope that as you read each day, you’ll think of me with thankfulness, then think of others you can share a moment with or speak a blessing to. If you’re reading GraceNotes in a country I didn’t mention above, I’d love to hear from you!  Please!

Prayer:

Father, Thanks for each person whose face is in my mind and heart. Thank you joyfully and longingly for friends and family. My treasures! Please bring them to mind each day for a fond memory, a burst of thankfulness, and a prayer of blessing. Amen.