I’m starting to read this little book called, “The Practice of the Presence of GOD” by brother Lawrence. I’d like to read it slowly and try to absorb as much as I can. I’m using an abridged version for now and maybe later I’ll read the unabridged version.
The unabridged version says, “That we should establish ourselves in a sense of GOD?s Presence, by continually conversing with Him. That it was a shameful thing to quit His conversation, to think of trifles and fooleries.That we should feed and nourish our souls with high notions of GOD; which would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him.”
My more modernised version says, “Brother Lawrence insisted? that it is necessary to always be aware of God’s presence by talking to Him throughout each day. To think that you must abandon conversation with Him in order to deal with the world is erroneous.”
“That we ought to give ourselves up to GOD, with regard both to things temporal and spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling His will, whether He lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned.”
“Our only happiness? should come from God’s will, whether it brings us some pain or great pleasure. After all, if we’re devoted to doing God’s will, pain and pleasure won’t make any difference to us.”
“That there needed fidelity in those drynesses, or insensibilities and irksomenesses in prayer, by which GOD tries our love to Him; that then was the time for us to make good and effectual acts of resignation, whereof one alone would oftentimes very much promote our spiritual advancement.”
“We also need to be faithful, even in dry periods. It is during those dry spells that God tests our love for Him. We should take advantage of those times to practice our determination and our surrender to Him. This will often bring us to maturity further on in our walk with God.”
I’m intrigued about what it might mean to practise the presence of God. I want to know more…I want to experience this but I get so caught up in the day to day things that make up my life. I want to be closer to Jesus…to feel His presence more closely…to feel Him nearer.
During my early morning time on the pooter, I came across a site with sermons on it. One, in particular, caught my eye and has been on my mind all day. I’ve decided to act upon it. Some of these things I already do but I want to do them with more awareness…with more joy. These things are such as,
- Waking to the Lord- giving Him my first thoughts.
- Early prayer and quiet time before family prayers.
- Plan my day with HOLINESS TO THE LORD at the forefront.
- To work diligently at my calling…of being a child of God, wife, mother, homeschooler, friend, etc.
- Guard my heart and mind throughout the whole day- being on watch for things that tempt me.
- Make a conscious decision to talk to myself and the children of the everyday things of God- to see God in everything.
- Be quick to confess my sins.
- Strive to do my best in my relationships and duties of them…as unto the Lord.
- Pray and give thanks before I go to sleep.
As well as modeling this, I want to share this with my children.
