Of our 3 dogs, Brady is mine. He loves to be with me whether he’s curled up on the coach next to me or laying on the foot of my recliner as I read and write. As long as he is near, he is happy and content. Occasionally, he will wander into the bedroom and stretch out on the bed, secure in the knowledge “mom” is just in the next room.
However, when I am gone, even for short periods of time, Brady becomes very anxious. His anxiety in my absence has grown to the extent we now have to kennel him when we leave or he will act out tearing up whatever he can get his teeth on.
I realized this morning even as God’s children, we are not much different than my 4-legged child. In God’s presence, I feel safe, secure, loved. It is easy for me to behave and not act out.
However, when I’ve removed myself from him, when I put myself in the world without him by my side, things are different. I act out. I don’t show love to my neighbor who has no room in his garage for all his “stuff” that now makes up the view outside my office window. I’m not kind to the overworked and under paid waiter/waitress when my order takes forever and comes out wrong. I am short with my husband sharing the stress of my job with him in a not very loving manner.
How do we come back into the presence of God? Through his word, through prayer, and through quiet time with him daily. It’s easy to let the worries of the world overcome us, making us anxious, irritable, and worrisome. As Jesus said…
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Just for Today: Ground yourself in God’s presence taking a few moments throughout the day to pray, to read a passage from your bible, and to just be with him.
Have a blessed day!
– psg –
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