Long for His Presence

Celebrating a 1st birthday with two of our grandsons.

 Sharing his birthday cake with Mama Boo

Overjoyed to be together.

I love being with these little cousins.

June 18
At Bible study last night I shared a story which happened ten years ago related to having prepared a beautiful candlelight dinner for my husband and two youngest sons.  (Our oldest child is a girl and when she left for college I was left living with six men. Every now and then I'd do something girly...flowers, candles, a patch of pink, etc.)  The table was set and an elaborate multi-course dinner prepared. Being a coach and our sons playing on sports teams, my husband was good about calling and letting me know when they began the 50 minute drive home after practice.  This particular evening that amount of time had passed and my mind wandered to deer which jump out in our rural area and cars which swerve on these country roads.  I began to think the worst and imagine my life without these fellows.  Dropping to my knees at the bench by our table I cried out to God, "Were are they? Bring them here!"
The reply was undoubtedly God, "Why do you not long for my presence in the way you long for your husband and sons? Look at the time you've spent today preparing this special meal and table for them and you haven't spent a second with me."
Ugh. Guilty as charged.  I quickly confessed and sought forgiveness. The moment I did, the headlights from my husband's car came down the driveway.  My fears were put to rest and my heart received the needed change.

A wrong number on my cell phone awakened me at 4:45AM. I decided to get up before the sun and hang out with Jesus.  In our Bible study by Priscilla Shirer last night she encouraged us to "practice watchfulness" and look for God's activity in our day.  As I opened some devotional emails I came across this one written on Proverbs 31 by Suzie Eller.  It is right on the same lines of what I share last night.  My you long to be in the presence of God today.

"Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!" 1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV)

My granddaughter Elle is almost three. Recently we had a family event and Elle and her parents arrived before we did. It had been a few weeks since we had seen her, which is unusual. When we walked in the door, a wide smile filled her face and she ran into my arms.

For the next several minutes Elle circled around the crowded room. Each time she made her way purposely back to me, placed both hands on my knees, looked me in the eye and said, "There you are!"

It was as if Elle wanted me to know that, in the midst of a crowd, she delighted that I was in the room.

I wonder if I show my Savior this same joy? I wonder if I seek Him like 1 Chronicles 16:11 teaches me to.

In a crowded schedule, do I carve out time to find Him?

The reality is that sometimes, if I am not intentional, my time with Him can get pushed to second or third place behind deadlines, bills to pay, errands to run, events to attend. And yet when I seek Him out and sit in His presence, I realize all over again how beautiful it is to worship Him, to feel the pleasure and love of a Heavenly Father.

In my crowded thoughts, do I pause and say, "There You are!"

Or do I let anxiety, anger, frustration, or worry take center stage, forgetting His promises of comfort, of strength, of peace in the midst of storms. Yes, He's there for He assures us that He is (Joshua 1:9; Romans 8:38-38; Hebrews 3:15). But do I ask Him to shine His Light on my troubled thoughts?

In my crowded life, do I invite Him in to every area?

Time with God is not confined to a prayer time or a few moments reading Scripture. Instead, we are invited to live and move and breathe in Him (Acts 17:28). That means that He is with us as we parent, as we go to work, as we reflect on a beautiful sunset, or as we comfort a friend. As believers, we don't just have to live. We live in Him, and He lives in us.

Elle had many options that day. Aunts and uncles held out open arms. Toys and books were offered at every turn. Cousins gave her kisses.

But she delighted in me instead. She didn't have to, for I love that little girl with every fiber of my being. But the fact that she loves me back with abandon is sheer joy for this grandma.

How long has it been since you delighted in God? Or experienced His pleasure in your presence? He loves you; that we know for certain. But what if today you pushed aside crowded thoughts, a crowded schedule, and a crowded life to proclaim with delight, "There You are!"

Dear Heavenly Father, I delight in You. Not for what I might receive, but simply because of Who You are to me. I love You with my heart, my soul, my mind. No matter the crowd I find myself in, with You is where I long to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.