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The first morning she got there she saw the most glorious sunrise she had ever seen. So, this is what it’s like to be up this early she thought. And she waited and she waited and she waited. She turned to prayer with an earnest heart and cried out ‘Lord I desire to see you, come into my heart, show me your presence in a real way.’ She sat in quiet contemplation for about another 20 minutes and with no sign of God she decided to go home.
The next morning when she arrived it must have been at the precise moment in time when the sun greets the day. The flowers awakening, shimmering in the sun, the trees glistening in the morning light. She’d never experienced anything like this before. Must be a strange weather pattern passing through. Maybe it means rain. Again, she found her spot on the bench cried out to God asking for his presence, sat in quiet reflection for a few moments waiting for Him to appear to her. She waited and waited with anticipation, again no sign and she returned home.
The next day, not deterred, still hopeful, she again walked down to the park. There was a slight drizzle misting in the air. When she arrived at the park the skies opened up and a full-blown rainstorm started falling all around her. Of course, she had no umbrella, but she giggled as she was drenched in the morning rainfall. It reminded her of when she was a child and she and her sister used to dare each other to run outside in the rain from the safety of their covered porch. It brought the beautiful memory of her sister and a time gone by. The rain subsided as quickly as it hade come and there she sat, like a drowned rat on the bench and waited for God. She prayed ‘Lord why don't you come to me in a tangible way? I’m here every day praying for your presence.’ She was determined to continue her quest and returned the next day.
This day, the woman arose again hoping and praying she would see God this morning. So, she headed down to the park to her usual spot and began her seeking. A young teenager walked by with a backpack and two bags from the local bakery. He stopped and said to her ‘They made an error on my order and gave me an extra bagel would you like it? I'm not going to eat them both.’ She looked up at the youth and thought How kind, he must have a good mother. So, she took the bagel, thanked him, and wished him a good day. The bagel was fresh and warm and as she broke pieces off and ate them she savored the warmth and the nourishment they provided. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. Once finished she sat and waited and waited again for God. After about 20 minutes she went back home disappointed.
The next day she rose a little bit later in the morning and still determined to find God, made her way down to the park. She sat on the bench and saw a young mother pushing a stroller walking the family dog. This brought such a flood of wonderful memories reminding her of the days at the park with her young family. As the young woman approached the dog ran after a squirrel and came loose from her grasp. She turned to her and said, ‘Oh my goodness would you watch my baby for a moment while I get the dog.’ ‘Certainly!,’ I said. As I gazed upon the baby in the buggy she gave me the most glorious smile, a little giggle and I got lost in her beautiful blue eyes. The woman returned with a dog in hand thanked me profusely and went on her way. I sat and sat and waited and waited but again, no sign of God.
The next day was a bright beautiful Sunday morning. When she got to the park there was someone sitting on her bench. She thought about walking by but this person looked so lonely she decided to sit down next to him. ‘I haven't seen you here before’ she said to the man. He said, ‘I have been here all week.’ She said ‘Really? Me too! She said, ‘I come here to seek God but I haven't seen him all week, I am a bit frustrated I must admit.’
As the man turned to her his face was kind and gentle and he said ‘But I've been here all week. Didn't you see me in the glorious sunrise I created just for you? Did you not see me in the shimmering flowers and the glistening trees? Did you not see me in the rain? Did you not see me in the kindness of a stranger? Did you not see me in the face of a babe?’
God is all around us always. Jesus shows himself to us in the many beautiful creations of God our creator. It is only when we take time, pause, stop the daily busyness and tune into his frequency we find what we are seeking. He is speaking to us always, loving us always, in our presence always.
