(An imaginary conversation between God and me, but I invite you to put your name in the blanks):
ME: You’ve heard me say, Lord, “I can’t imagine life without You,” because You’ve been an invaluable, all-wise influence through the years.
You’ve provided protection, guidance, care, and more. Just knowing You are with me gives me comfort, strength, and peace.
GOD: Ministering to you in these ways has been My delight, __________. I do love to see you practicing My presence—asking for My help and connecting with Me through praise and prayer.
As you draw near to Me, you experience wonder, quiet, calm, and warmth.
ME: Thank you Father for these blessings! But I’m still on the learning curve of sustained awareness. Distractions frequently interfere. It seems I’ll never attain moment-by-moment communion with You.
GOD: I understand, __________. Remember, I’m the One who made you and am well aware you cannot achieve perfection [1].
What I value is progress, and rest assured, that is occurring.
Think back to the days when you experienced great difficulty practicing My presence. Your thoughts rarely turned toward Me once your morning quiet time was over—unless you ran into trouble.
Now you come to Me much more frequently, giving Me the opportunity to strengthen and encourage you. Keep coming back to Me, __________.
The day will come when we enjoy almost-unbroken communion and it will be all the sweeter for the wait. Meanwhile, there are habits-of-thought to embrace that will advance your progress toward that day:
BE ATTENTIVE TO MY ATTRIBUTES
Stay alert to discover reminders of Me everywhere. And let each discovery bring to mind one or more of My attributes.
As attentiveness leads to praise and praise to joy, you’ll find yourself nestled more closely to My side. That’s where I long for you to be!
BE GRATEFUL FOR MY BLESSINGS
Ask yourself throughout the day, “What can I thank God for right now?”
For example, your answer in this moment might include the colorful fall flowers in the deck planter—a delight for your eyes—enjoyed in the surroundings of My living room [2].
And as we enjoy such blessings together, you’ll find your heart drawing close to Me.
AFFIRM MY PROMISES
Come worship at My footstool, __________ (Psalm 132:7).
Look up into My face and see in My eyes the love I have for you. See in My smile the delight you bring Me. Imagine My hand upon your back and feel My compassion.
Now, breathe out your cares and breathe in the truth of My promises. Listen closely as I affirm:
- I love you __________ with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
- I will always help you (Isaiah 41:13).
- My lovingkindness prevails over you (Psalm 117:2 AMP).
- I am in control of all things (Ephesians 4:6).
- I will work all things together for the good of those who love Me, who seek to live out My purpose for them (Romans 8:28).
It delights Me that you want to be more aware of My presence. Know that I take deep pleasure in every occasion you turn your attention toward Me.
Know too that beautiful transformation is taking place within you each time you do, because you can’t spend time in My presence and not grow more into My likeness [3].
* * * * * * * * * *
ME: Thank You, Father, for encouraging me toward greater intimacy with You, to enjoy You more fervently. Help me pause and sense Your presence, even in the ordinary moments of life.
May I create space for You through attentiveness to Your attributes on display, gratitude for Your countless blessings, and review of Your uplifting promises.
May I remember:
I don’t want to miss that pleasure, even for a moment.
[1] Psalm 103:13-14
[2] Those of you who visit here often will probably remember that Michael Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Publishing, is the one who calls the outdoors God’s living room. I love that imagery!
[3] 2 Corinthians 3:18
Photo credits: http://www.canva.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.freerangestock.com; http://www.canva.com.
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Awesome post!!! I love that idea also, nature as God’s living room. This post brings to mind a verse I have been thinking about this week, James 4:8-10. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…”
Thank you Linda. Your enthusiastic encouragement means a great deal to me. / Isn’t that a glorious promise, James 4:8? I should have included it in the promise section of this post. Thank you for adding it in your comment!
Amen, Nancy. There’s no greater peace than living in His presence – a taste of eternity, when we’ll have constant communion with Him. 💕 Meanwhile, I’m so grateful for His patience, the way He calmly waits for me to get past all the cares and distractions that invade my mind uninvited . 😕🙄😏
Amen back to you, Annie, for your insightful comments. I too praise God for his patience with me!
Thank you for this Nancy. I truly cannot imagine my life without God in it. Adding my name made your words very personal to me!
You’re welcome, Kathy. I pray that the life we enjoy with God will draw others to Him, so they can experience what we do!
💕💕
Thank you , Nancy. I found this very inspiring.
Praise God you found inspiration here, Ruth!
This would be a great exercise that church groups young and old could do. Children would likely love to play act with prompts such as the ones you’ve suggested, only with simpler dialogue. Thanks, Nancy! 🙂
How delightful, Nancy, that you see further use for the idea of writing imaginary conversations with God. Children would no doubt be very creative in their own responses and when speaking for Him!
Beautiful!💜 Unbroken communication with God–what a goal!
Thank you, Linda. It is a worthy goal to pursue, with lovely rewards all along the way!
I never want to miss those moments either, Nancy. As I read your post, the tears flowed unabashedly. Especially when I put my name in those blanks you provided for us. So many years wasted when I believed the lies of the world instead of the eternal promise of God. So much for which I had to ask forgiveness, but He never said I couldn’t be His child. I just pray that I can share His saving grace and mercy every day that I can draw breath. Blessings!
Oh, Martha, I love your sweet, humble spirit! I can only imagine the love in God’s eyes as he gazes upon you–a lamb who was once lost for so long and so far away, but now is HOME. He is THRILLED!
Nancy, I read this post aloud and putting my name in the blanks was so comforting. Thank you for this reminder that God is always near with His great love and affection for HIs children. Thank you always for your encouragement!
You are so welcome, Debbie. Praise God you found comfort here!
What a refreshing and encouraging post!! Great kickstart to my morning as I sub today!!
I pray your day of subbing went well! (That is NOT an easy job to fulfill!) Praise God you found refreshment and encouragement here, Alicia.
What a beautiful imaginary conversation, Nancy! “Ask yourself throughout the day, ‘What can I thank God for right now?”’ the more I ask, the more I realize has been there all along!
That’s been true for me too, Stacey. It’s a worthy goal to stay in discovery-mode as much as possible, to celebrate the blessings of “right here, right now!”
The conversation reminded me of how deeply personal God is with each of us. He’s so aware of our attempts at staying attentive, even when we’re not doing such a good job. He doesn’t see failure as fatal! This was timely. Thanks for so creatively bringing me back to what’s really important.
I marvel how gracious and compassionate our God is. And I love what you said, Dayle: “Failure is not fatal” in his view. Praise God for THAT!
Andrew Murray wrote a book I love- Practicing the presence.
God wants us to come to him anytime.
Oh, I’m sure that’s an excellent book, Matt. I have a number of his quotes in my collection, but not one of his books on the shelves. I’ll put that one on the TBR list! Thank you for the recommendation.
i often write out what I call dialog prayers very similar to this as conversation, dialog between God and me. I find my sentences are often long and wordy. God’s words are much shorter and full of wisdom. Great post and one I plan to reread!
Thank you, Jean. I’m honored you consider this post worthy of a reread. Praise God, as always, for his inspiration!
Thank you for this reminder of God’s promises, His love for us, and His faithfulness. ❤
You’re welcome, Anna. Our God is SO good to us. As Aliza Lotta wrote, “There is always good because there is always God . . . even when nothing else around us is good. His presence in the midst of our deepest pain is a good gift indeed” (from the book, Take Heart). She knows about what she writes. Aliza was widowed at a young age and left with young children to raise alone.
I like the “what can I thank God for right now.” Too often we go through the day without even recognizing the goodness of God all around us. Thanks for the reminder.
Continual attentiveness is one of my heart’s desires also, Barb!
You’re welcome, Barb! (I need to reminders too!)
Amen. Beautifully written, Nancy. It reminded me of Brother Lawrence’s “The Practice of the Presence of God.”
Thank you, Dora. Yes, that book was in the back of my mind as I composed this post!
I am reminded of Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled”. If our hearts are filled with gratefulness and awareness of every good thing he bestows upon his children, there is less room for anxieties and fear and more room for faith, peace, and trust.
We need to have a constant craving, an insatiable craving not just a passing desire praying to him only when we need something. I have tried to make it a point to open my prayers with a thankful attitude. The more we talk to Him and LISTEN to Him, the more peaceful life becomes in spite of our anxieties. This is what I need to work on.
I love this part of your quote: “Now, breathe out your cares and breathe in the truth of My promises.” A great way to relax in the certainty of His constant care for us.
I love what you said, Cheri: “The more we talk to Him and LISTEN to Him, the more peaceful life becomes.” Strong truth there, my friend!
Hi Nancy,
That is the way it should be. One long everyday conversation with the Lord. I hope you hear from Him.
In Christ, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
I do hear from God from time to time, especially as I sit in the quiet of early morning, journal and pen at the ready. How thrilling to think, “in the very center of our desire for God is God’s desire for us” (Ruth Haley Barton, In Solitude and Silence, 51)!
That’s awesome.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
‘Give me Jesus…you can have all this world’🎶 Even at my worst – when my faith fails – I still ache for Him.
AMEN, R.H.!! We’re so needy of Jesus, whether soaring in spiritual euphoria or cringing in faith-tested despair. As another hymn affirms: We need Him every hour, in joy or pain (“I Need Thee Every Hour, verse 3). P.S. I’m so glad you know all these old hymns! It’s a delight to share their treasures with others familiar with the lyrics.)