Presence

Today as I send this email, I am praying you will feel God’s presence. 

 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  -Psalm 16:11

We hear the word “presence” quite often these days. When people talk about meditating they often say “Be present.” People advise against retreating into our phones by saying “Be present in the now.” I heard someone in a podcast say “Presencing keeps me grounded.” I kind of like that word, “presencing.” “What are you doing?” “Presencing.”

What about presencing with God? How do we go into God’s presence and how does God come into our presence? And what good is it?

There are different ways to be present with God. When I begin praying, one of my go-to ways to get into God’s presence is to take 3 deep breaths and imagine I am standing in front of the burning bush, like Moses (Exodus 3). I use my 5 senses to deepen the experience. (What do I see, what do I hear, what do I feel, what do I smell, and what do I taste?) Sometimes when I gaze at a beautiful landscape, the awe I feel makes God’s presence real to me. When I see a tiny baby and realize what a miracle it is, God is present to me.

In this story by Jane Marczewski, who goes by Nightbirde, she writes of reaching the depths of despair as she faces her death from cancer. While resting on the bathroom floor as she is suffering great sickness, she says God is present on that bathroom floor. Rather surprising! The author seems like an amazing person. In the depths of pain and hopelessness--being told she has just a 2% chance of survival--, she said, “I have felt His exhale, laid in His shadow, squinted to read the message He wrote for me in the grout: ‘I’m sad too.’”

Nadia Bolz-Weber talked about being in the presence of God as relaxing.

Catholic theologian James Allison describes faith not as intellectually ascending to a set of theological propositions, but he describes faith as relaxing. Relaxing in the love and presence of God in the way we relax in the presence of someone we are certain is fond of us.  When we are in the presence of someone we are certain is fond of us, we are funnier, more spontaneous, softer, and less defensive.  If I know for sure someone likes and loves me there is no reason to pretend anything. James Allison says faith is relaxing. -Nadia Bolz-Weber, If Shame Could be Bottled as an Energy Source it Could Easily Replace Fossil Fuels

I like that description of being in God’s presence, “...we are funnier, more spontaneous, softer, and less defensive.” There is not a goal. It’s like a visit with a good friend. You just relax in each other’s company, sometimes even in silence.

Sometimes it is hard to feel the presence of God. I try to feel him, I use my usual methods of deep breathing, imagining with my 5 senses, praying, and still I just don’t feel it. When that happens, I have to rely on my mind and memories. I remember that I have felt his presence before and try to rest in that knowledge even if I cannot feel it at the moment. I listened to a sermon the other day on Psalms 42 & 43. The Psalmist writes about the conversation between his head and heart.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.  -Psalm 42:5

And what good does it do to be in God’s presence? Well, what good does it to do be in your best friend’s presence? What good does it do to see your beloved spouse or parent cheering you on as you perform? What good does it do to come home after a hard day and be greeted by your loved ones--including your dog or cat? What good does it do to try to explain something complicated that you’re not even sure you understand yourself to a trusted listener who nods and recaps it back to you perfectly? What good does it do to be out in nature and hear nothing but birdsong, feel nothing but a sweet breeze, and see nothing but beauty, beauty, beauty every which way you look? What good does it do to be hugged as you cry? 

I pray you will know God’s love through his presence.

For a wonderful reflection on God’s presence: Divine Mirror meditation by Richard Rohr

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What is this?? A while back, I had an idea. I was thinking of some friends I wanted to pray for, but I didn't have a specific thing to pray about on their behalf. I decided to pray that they would feel God's love. I decided to send them an email when I prayed, so they'd know and be encouraged. Then I thought about my many other family and friends who I would like to encourage with prayer, and decided to start this email.

Two things I try to do:

-- Encourage you with a reminder of God's love. My goal is to avoid anything where the response is "I should..." Just a short reflection of God's love.

-- Pray for you. I'll pray with each email, and please reply to me with anything you'd specifically like me to pray for you. I'll keep it confidential, don't worry.

You can opt out any time, no hurt feelings, no need for explanation, no worries. Just reply with a subject like "Unsubscribe" or "Opt out" or "No thanks" or whatever. If you would like to send me specific prayer requests. I will gladly pray with you. Email me at mavis at moonfamily.cc. I'll keep all communication confidential.