How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me? Things so undeserved yet you gave to prove your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be…….I owe it all to thee. Andrae Crouch, “My Tribute”  1942-2015

When I think of God’s presence all through the years I like to think of this patch of sunlight on the path that is my life. He has simply always been there and how can I ever explain it? Some of my earliest memories are of talking to God. Is it the imagination of a child that makes it less real? Maybe that’s more real than anything else. All I know is that I talked and I knew He listened. And I still do, and there’s a miracle if there ever was one.

In my quiet moments all it takes is a little serious reflection to humble myself to the place beyond words. I am struggling to find them, the words that is, but that’s okay. The Holy Spirit speaks His language. When I think of my life…….when I think of all He’s brought me through, (and you too, I can imagine) I am struck silent with wonder.

In this quiet space on a Friday evening I am filled with amazement that He has stuck it out with me. He says: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” And He never has. All through the awful. All through the very best times of my life.

Through the piano weight of grief on my chest when I couldn’t put one step in front of the other…..through the years of terrible skin when I wanted to wear a veil all through Jr high and High school….through the years when I thought I could make myself disappear if I lost enough weight….through it all.

Because the truth is, you feel He is there during the wonderful times. When the world is smiling on you, you can know He is smiling too and even if you can’t put your spiritual finger on the God part it’s easy to believe He’s there.

In the staggering news feeds where the news is so horrific you can’t even catch your breath and somehow you sense that it’s in these little in between quiet moments where your soul is resurrected once again, that He is there. More real than ever before. He’s in it all and through it all. Seeing it all.

And it makes me relieved that I know He will stop at nothing to make sure that it all gets made right. In fact, He already has. In Easter. I remember the why of the Cross and how it was finished once and for all. Perfect justice through perfect injustice. Only God could and would have enough love to make that happen.

May prayers embrace this world, yours and mine. We need God more than ever. May this benediction draw you close to His Presence and those around you. Live with heart eyes open this weekend, my friends. Because you never know when it will be your last one on this precious earth.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27