Although there are many things that draw my heart, spirit and eyes to God, two of my favorites and old friends are my prayer candle and my digital camera.Since my retirement, I’ve returned to an old habit and an old friend. That habit is burning a prayer candle each day. As in the past, my faithful prayer candle is placed in a prominent place and draws my attention each time I enter the room. It’s location (in our new house) in on the mantle in the den. Each time I enter the room, my eyes are drawn to the flickering flame and to God. It is such a holy connection because just as my eyes see the flame, so sees my heart and an open door to prayer happens. Sometimes I pause in mid-step to pray and then other times I continue walking praying as I step away from the prayer candle and its call to prayer. It has been one of my most treasured calls to prayers each day. There is no way to tell on this side of Heaven the number of petitions, prayers of thanksgiving and pleas for others’ needs have been spoken sharing my prayer time with this prayer candle…a faithful friend indeed.
Another thing to draw me to God is my digital camera. That might sound strange, but as I look into the lens of the camera and see a sunset, a flower, a grandchild smiling, my heart is drawn to God and to His creation. It captures the essence of the moment and reveals things that my human eye missed. It might have captured a butterfly in flight as I was taking a picture of a flower in bloom. One of my favorite times with this old friend was right after we moved to the country. Our subdivision was new and we were one of the few houses on this side of the lake. It was early in the morning and I grabbed my camera and keys (yes, still in my nightgown, robe and slippers) and ran to my car. I raced (literally) to the back of the subdivision to beat the rising sun. The plan was to capture the sunrise on my camera. It was one of the most dramatic times with God. At one point I had to put my camera down and just marvel at the magnitude of God! This faithful friend has captures many such times as: sunsets across the water in Florida, grandchildren’s birthdays and visits here with us, special events with family and friends, family gatherings, flowers, water birds, events at church, and pictures of people who are now Heavenside. It has been a good and faithful friend. Then, while in Galveston last year, the camera began to malfunction. I tried everything to restore it, but sadly it was wearing out and finally my digital camera died.
As I save for a new digital camera, plans are to use my still camera instead. Last night as I pulled it from it’s case and attempted to turn it on, the battery was gone. Luckily there was a package of new batteries and I loaded the film (you remember film??). As I pulled the camera up to take a picture, my heart soared! An old friend indeed had returned and it felt so good to hold it in my hands and see God’s creation through the lens! I snapped a picture of my cherisher and it made me smile.
This weekend my cherisher and I will be at Laity Lodge in the Hill Country. My heart is literally racing at the thought of the pictures that will not be missed. My old friend will be with me capturing the sights of God’s creations. And long after this weekend with God has passed, there will be memories in print to remind us how faithful God is to our every need. Oh, how we needed this time away. Oh, how we needed to sit and be restored, replenished and renewed.
Oh that we would see God in the ordinary…you know, the day-to-day things God shows us that we miss because we are just too busy to stop and celebrate His glory. Oh, how He wants us to pause and notice!
Can you do that today? Can you think of something – anything– that you can do to pause from your labors of the day and spend with God? Can you just stop to see His Glory? Can you not stop and see His presence? God dances all around each and every one of us! Most times we are simply too busy to notice.
My friend, can you not stop today – even if it is only for a moment – look around you and see God? Utter those words God longs to hear, “Thank you! I love you!” God is presence! He is amazing! Today why not allow God to take your breath away and draw you to His heart! Can you hear Him singing? God does sing over you, you know!!! Bask in His love and His presence with you today!
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
