Ever pray this prayer: Where are you, God and why can’t I see You?
I have running crazy in July with company visiting, summer to do’s and trying to work on dreams and where God is leading me. I finally took some deep breaths this morning to create space with God – reading my Bible, journaling and spending time with him. It was like having my morning coffee with a friend I was missing and longing to be with.
Where have you been, God? I asked with a smile, knowing it wasn’t his absence but my busyness that kept me from experiencing him lately.
Then I remembered this story I heard a long time ago. I love its imagery and reassurance of God’ presence.
So sit back and enjoy story time today. May its words also bless your journey:
Once upon a time a woman spoke her deepest desire to God.
“Lord, I want to find you. See you. Be with you”
She held that prayer closely in her heart for many many years. She said no to worldly desires and accomplishments to focus only on God. She tried to do good, to love others, to follow his ways.
She was devoted and did whatever she could to experience God.
Finally in desperation and frustration, she gave up. “Lord I have been searching for you all my life and yet I can’t see you. I can’t hear you. Maybe you don’t exist after all and I have wasted my time, my life.”
The woman strolled through a park and along a flowing river, upset about her unanswered prayer. As tears ran down her cheeks, she threw a stone into the stream.
A fish popped his head out of the water. “Hey why did you hit me with that stone?”
“I am so sorry,” she apologized. “I was just frustrated and didn’t mean to hit you.”
“Well, lady, I’ve got problems too. Look at me. I have been working my fins, struggling in this river my entire life. I am not getting anywhere. I am so thirsty and can’t find any water to drink.”
“Mr. Fish, open your eyes. You are already in the water. There isn’t any place around you that isn’t water. You are held up, embraced and nourished by its presence. Just look around you.”
Then the fish said, “Ha, I guess this is true with you, too. Open your eyes. You are already immersed in God. There isn’t a place you can go without him. You are held up, embraced and nourished by God. You are swimming in God’s love right now.”
God’s love enfolds us.
God’s love nourishes us in ways beyond our imagination.
God’s love is ever present and never leaves us.
Where are you, God and why can’t I see You? I needed to read this story again to know he is with me like the ocean.
So excuse me I am going swimming and enjoying the water today!
What new ways are you seeing/experiencing God?
Oh Jean, I just loved this story. It reminded me of the verses from
Psalm 139:7-12. Such goodness to read this morning. I actually thought of you this morning as I pulled out again the devotional you sent me, Women of the Bible. 🙂
I haven’t done so well lately with blog reading but I do very much enjoy coming by to read what’s on your heart.
Blessings.
I loved this story too Beth. And psalm 139 is my favorite!. Thanks for your kinds words. I am blessed to connect with you
This very much goes with Sunday’s teaching. “Faith comes by hearing, hearing, hearing by the Word of God.” If you need more faith, you need more time alone with God. It is amazing to me how once His Word is in your heart, He is so willing to quicken it in time of need to comfort and direct. Submerge … it will only compel us to want more.
ooo I like your word – submerge. great choice and one I will ponder.
So beautiful, Jean! Such a wonderful story to remind us that we are swimming in God’s love and there is no place in all of creation that we could escape Him. Honored to be swimming with you!
I too loved this summer. what a perfect imagery it is. Thanks for all you do, Jen.
Jean, the story reminded me of a song we do in our contemporary service, God of Brilliant Lights. Part of the lyrics, which have been going through my head today even before I read your post, are “Your love is like an ocean, forever overflowing . . . Your love has overtaken, we’ll never be forsaken.”
Sounds like Psalms to me!
Thanks for your inspiration today, dear friend!
I am not familiar with that song and will have to google it. sounds wonderful. Thanks Martha