Saturday, February 18, 2017

Dear God,

Abide with me, the song goes, abide with me.  When we walk through darkness, we cry out, "Abide with me, Lord."  When the storm clouds roll, we call out, "Abide with me."  When life has wrought a miracle, an answer to prayer, or an insight, we whisper, "Thank you, Lord, for abiding with me."

More than anything, we want your presence, your living presence.  We want you near, close at hand.
We want to know you are with us.  Or more importantly, we like to know we are with you.  It is not always about expecting you to be with us but rather us living a life that makes us aware we are one with you.

So often we expect you to do the work of faith.  We want you to change our situation, answer our prayer, or bring healing.  We pray for these very things.  But the work is ours.  We are to remain constant in our faith, trusting you when we are down and out, living in faithfulness.  We are to function as if we believe the very faith we uphold.

When we ask you to abide with us, we really mean help us live close to you, to walk in the ways of faith, and to acknowledge your presence with us always.  May it be true not only today but all our tomorrows.

Heavenly Father,
we are grateful
for your
abiding presence.
We thank you
for gentle reminders
to do
our part
in faith.
Thank you
for your
for all
your gracious gifts.

Love, Andrea