Taste and see how good the Lord is! The one who takes refuge in him is truly happy! Psalm 34:8
A few days ago I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days in Palm Springs with my aunt and uncle, who live in Michigan, and my cousin and his wife and their two young children. They rented a home with a beautiful backyard and a pool. We were able to come together because all of us are fully vaccinated. A blessing in itself. My uncle’s health is failing and I knew that this trip might be one of the last times we will be together. I felt blessed they invited me to join them.
I had recently been doing some work with the youth’s confirmation curriculum. It talks about how to really know God we most often have to experience God. While in Palm Springs I really became intentional on this idea of experiencing God. I was able to experience God’s presence in many different ways. I heard God’s presence in the laughter while playing games and swimming in the pool. God’s presence was heard in the birds singing in the morning. I saw God’s presence in the beautiful trees with their green trunks and bright yellow blossoms and every time the hummingbirds quickly darted around I could see God. I felt God’s touch when our conversations offered support to each other and through the physical hugs that were exchanged. This weekend with my family God’s presence was abundant and I feel blessed to be able to have had the time together with them as well as to be fully aware of God’s presence.
God is always with us. We sometimes fail to take the time to take in the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells so that we can fully experience God working in our lives. But when we do we are able to truly see how good God is….all the time!
Blessings, Marty Drake
God,
You are a constant in our lives, you never stray away from us. Forgive us for those times when we stray from you. We give thanks for our senses that help us to experience You in a multitude of ways. Thank you for times we get to spend with those we love.
Amen