And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!  Psalm 116:9 ESV

Sometimes, the simplest things are the most profound.

Shortly after my grandfather passed away, I found a small, leather-bound book among his things. Practicing the Presence of God was embossed on its cover. Written by a 17th century layman who served in a monastery as a cook and a sandal maker, these short writings give us some beautiful pictures of a personal and vibrant relationship with God.  The author called himself “Brother Lawrence.”

This simple man discovered that a place of peace and rest, is available to all of us, always.  This is possible through what he called, Practicing the Presence of God:  through continual, ongoing conversation with Him.

One winter day, Lawrence had a sort of epiphany while gazing at a tree. Stripped of its leaves, the tree looked dead.  But Lawrence knew that in only a little time life would once again infuse its limbs, green leaves, flowers and fruit would be renewed. Life had never left the tree just as God’s presence never leaves us.

Lawrence attended regular times of prayer in his monastery, but “It was a great delusion” he said, “to think that the times of prayer ought to differ from other times;” No, he said, “…we need only recognize God intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment” (Fourth Conversation).

Even, he said, when he was working “in the noise and clatter of my kitchen… “I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were on my knees” (Fourth Conversation).

Where will this day take you? Remember, whether kitchen, classroom, office or fields, God is with you and He’s waiting to hear from you.

 

Resource reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18