Here and Now
Much like I do almost every January, I have vowed to do better at reading my Bible and having some quiet time with God. I go through my list of "If onlys". If only I had more time. If only I had a new study Bible. If only I wasn't such a night owl, I could get up earlier. Last night I got in a mood of "If only I had the perfect spot"."A God spot is what I need!" I declared, and went in search of it. There are 7 couches in my house and probably twice as many chairs but somehow I can't find the right spot. "What I need is a big comfy shabby chic down chair that calls to me and envelopes me, where my Bible sits open to deep passages and my study guides, anthologies and lap top sit perched with purpose awaiting my daily devotion".And God would surely meet me there.So I went on a quest around the house like a dog who just can't get settled. Maybe here, maybe there? "This house is so wide open!" I thought, "I need a corner... a nook." My sweet daughter followed me room to room pointing out the pros and cons of each chair and setting. We laughed at ourselves as we test drove and judged our own furniture deeming most of it inadequate for communing with God. We finally landed in an obscure blue chair in the living room where hardly anyone ever sits. (In neither the chair nor the living room.) "Mom, maybe you just need to pick a spot and God will show up. It probably doesn't matter to Him because He is everywhere. The point is just to be with Him."OUT... OF... THE... MOUTHS... OF... BABES!I have often said which bares repeating now that I think if you were to ask God "When should I seek you?", He would say "Now". "Where shall I seek you Lord? " "Here dear one, right here and right now! Come to Me, sit with Me and talk with me as I have much to say and I love you."(Nothing about a shabby chic chair????)Funny thing about the obscure blue chair in the abandoned living room, as The Teen and I sat there laughing at ourselves and contemplating the floor plan. The rest of the family trickled in, pulled up a chair, sat on the table or rug and...well, there we were. Because my family has to constantly sit on top of each other. We love to be together. Wherever we are, whatever the setting. It is a quirky family dynamic that I love to hate but I could feel God's presence. Maybe it is as the Bible says: when 2 or more are gathered in His name there He is.I pray specifically and daily that God would dwell in my house, in every room from the front door to the back door and in every corner of every little spot and that friends and family alike would feel the presence of God upon entering. So this is where I will start. Right here and right now. Maybe in the obscure blue chair. Maybe not!Here and now, that is my God spot.
Psalm 73:28But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge.