I gulped hard, forcing a smile as I watched my five year-old slide down the wet strip of yellow. Cold water splashed my shins as he squealed in delight. And still I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
She was too young. She didn’t deserve to go so soon. Yet she’s gone. Just like that.
Try as I might, all I could see was what else I could lose…
Fear was percolating when movement across the lawn caught my eye. I glanced over just in time to see the baby cardinal. He saw me, too, as he hopped over to our rain garden and then quickly took flight. Flying was new for him, I could tell, as he changed his direction more than once. My smiles came easy as I heard his mama in the far tree, coaching him along.
Or maybe she was simply encouraging him…
Does his mama worry like I do? Does she realize all the things that could happen to her baby as he spreads his wings to fly?
When my weary mind found the pillow that night, I pulled out The Message and aimed to face the next chapter. It read:
“Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
So he said, “When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.”
Luke 11:1-4 ~ The Message
That’s as far as I got.
It was the “Reveal who You are” my heart lingered on as I contemplated how that could be translated from “Hallowed be Thy Name“.
How could E. Peterson believe those two requests were one in the same?
I rose to the sound of my bird friends and as I swung my legs to the floor, I caught myself praying something similar:
Father, thank You for another day filled with new mercies.
Please…let me see You today. Reveal Yourself to me…
I want to know You…
Friends, I can’t put it to words, but believe me when I tell you — that’s exactly what He did.
Nothing was new, but everything was different as I saw Him more clearly.
I realized then: Witnessing the Creator revealed enables you to see your everyday is planted firmly on holy ground. And your heart doesn’t know what else to do but worship His hallowed name.
My perspective changed after this new prayer ritual began. My eyes now see all that’s been given to me and all that’s His.
Friends, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. For nothing can separate me from Him. What have I to fear?
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
What else would any one of us need?
How about you, friend? Has He revealed Himself to you lately? How do you squelch your worries and worship His hallowed name? I’d love to hear.
Love this a lot Nikki. it is always so surprising how little it really takes to change our perspective for the day!
Susie
So true, Susie. Sometimes, all it takes is a breath of fresh air 😉
So thankful He pursues us like that…
Thank you for reading my heart!
All for Him with hugs to you,
Nikki
What an encouragement, Nikki! I’m going to put this into practice. I think I’m hungry to see God and I do catch glimpses of His presence in my life but I’ve never been intentional about asking Him to reveal Himself, and, yes, I want to know Him for who He is! Thank you, friend!
Oh, we’ll have to touch base after a bit to see if it has helped you as much as it’s helped me! I’m anxious to hear how He reveals Himself to you, friend. thank you for reading! {HUGS}
Nikki, I wasted so many of my mom years afraid. Thanks for this beautiful reminder – “nothing can separate us,” and how very much he loves us, our little ones, and even the bird that falls from the nest. Many blessings to you and many thanks!
Oh, that is something I worry I’ll say, Deb–that I wasted so many mom years in fear. So thankful He’s showing me now that I need to humbly accept this gift He’s given me and savor it long!
Thank you for your encouragement, friend!
I try to be intentional about looking for His presence, but I love the idea of asking for Him to reveal himself each morning. I’m going to put this into practice as well!
Intentional…that’s what is required! (that was my “one word” last year and oh my did it every teach me so much…) Anxious to hear how it works for you, friend — this asking intentionally….
Thank you for reading my heart with such grace! {HUGS}
” Witnessing the Creator revealed and to enable others to see Him more clearly should be a part of everyone’s life goal Thanks Nikki, you have a wonderful way of helping us see and appreciate the truth.
Love and hugs,
Joy
Oh, thank you so much, Joy, for reading! {HUGS}