Practicing the Presence of God

Months ago I came across the words, Practicing the Presence of God, in something I was reading. I don't even remember what book it was in but I know that these words spoke to me. So for the last several months I have had them written on a torn piece of post-it note on my desk. Every day I look at the words and wonder what it means to be Practicing the Presence of God. As a way to think about this I broke the phrase down to ask myself, what is the presence of God? After all, how could I practice something if I could not define it! There was a time in my life when the answer to this question would be that I would have to go someplace to be in His presence. It meant that I was always seeking to find something that was outside of me, and often it was just outside my grasp. Over the last years I have come to understand that I don't have to go or do anything special to find this presence because it is right inside of me. I'm not quite sure how it was or even when it was that this happened. My guess it that it was many new understandings that finally brought me to this place of knowing. One day I realized that I was indeed created in His image and I was called, so to speak, to share the gifts I have been given with the world. The truth is that what each of has is different and unique. So unique in fact that what we offer is ours alone to bring. So each and every person is created with wonderful gifts and called to share them. That brings me back to Practicing the presence of God. It is everyday remembering what I bring to this world and honoring it not only as a gift I give myself but a gift I give to those around me. I say remembering, because sometimes life itself gets in the way. Every day we are called to bring into focus and let go of anything that would keep us from that. Here is a wonderful quote I found by Elizabeth O'Conner that speaks to this..."When that surrender is made, one is connected not only to one's own life, but to the pulsating, energizing heart of God at the center of the universe and at the center of every life.

What is does it mean for you to Practice being in the Presence of God? We would love to hear your comments and thoughts. Blessings to you as your journey unfolds.