ALL OVER THE PLACE

Thou compassest my path and my
lying down, and art acquainted
with all my ways.
Thou has beset me behind and
before, and
laid thine hand upon me.
Psalm 139: 3,5

It was in college I read a book entitled “Your God is Too Small.” I can't tell you what an eye- opener that book was for me. I probably grew as much spiritually in college as I did in my previous years after my salvation at the age of 10. It was a very small book, but packed full of pointing out how big our God is and how we tend to keep Him in our own small boxes. I realized at that time I had a Sunday school view of God and His presence in my life. We'll never understand it all, but we are slack in putting into every day practice what we do know about Him and His all-encompassing presence.

As I write, Brian and I have been on the road visiting family. I find it isn't that often I think about the wonderful fact that God can be with me no matter where I am or where I go. It seems like such a simple concept in the theological view of things, but I am wondering if we know how blessed we are to have the watch care of our Heavenly Father every single place we go. Oh, we know as believers that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, but how often do we even give that fact a thought? It seems almost trivial to think God is with me when I go to the grocery store, run an errand, go out to lunch with a friend or when I go to get my hair fixed, but facts are facts.

I'm so grateful for God's continual presence when:

• visiting a friend in the hospital
• going to the doctor for my monthly eye injection
• comforting a friend going through a difficult time
• speaking with a young friend who is going through a difficult pregnancy
• our country seems to be bottoming out at times
• just sitting in my chair reading
• having a sandwich for lunch
• sitting in my favorite spot in the mountains
• concerned for my children and grandchildren.

It's hard to fathom how no matter where I go, God is not only with me, but already there at my destination. As I have left from where I was, He was there and remained there as well. He's above me and beneath me.

However, really thinking on those particular things also remind me of some things I might not want to think about. I love thinking about God's direction and protection in my life, but can it always be a good thing? Yes and no! What about when I:

• have a rotten attitude
• speak harshly to someone
• neglect spiritual responsibility
• share in spreading gossip
• fail to keep a promise
• show little respect for authority

You see, God is always present during those times as well. Such is just a fraction of the sin we commit toward our Heavenly Father often without even giving such a thought. If such things and others negative in nature are against God's wishes for us, then we call those things sin and He's as aware of those things as any good we do in His name.

Not long ago, our ladies Bible study worked on the topic of practicing the presence of God in our every day living. This doesn't mean just being aware of any good or sin God sees in us wherever we are. We have opportunities to not only be aware of His constant presence, but to put into practice doing everything for God's glory no matter how big or how menial.

I'm encouraging myself to be more aware that He is with me with His love and concern, and yes, with his guidance and direction. I also want to be more appreciative for how He views me in such a personal way....just as He does you. No matter the joy or heartache...the safety of life or peril, nothing can touch us without it first passing through the fingers of God. That's something I'm really trying to continue to learn, even if it takes some difficult times to teach me.

Thank You, Father, for Your loving care over us when we don't even realize You are present in every day life and events. May the thought encourage us to love and serve You with the greatest of love on our part and dedication to please You in every aspect of our lives. In Jesus' precious name....Amen