Hi Everyone,

We've been talking the last couple weeks about "sacred living", about experiencing God's presence and His Kingdom in our everyday lives. Often when we think about such things we are "seeing" ourselves ministering to others or performing special acts of kindness or receiving a "word" for another person. But God inhabits even more "ordinary" moments than these, and we often miss Him in our day to day lives because we are looking for those "special" moments. I had an experience that I would like to share with you that I hope will illustrate how God inhabits our smallest, most ordinary moments of life waiting for us to find and experience Him. I hope it will encourage you to live a "sacred life" and help you to be more diligent in looking for Him throughout your day.

It was this last Monday morning. Alex, my grandson, was visiting Pam and I, and we decided to take him to the small park close to our house. We do this fairly often. The routine goes like this. We start by swinging and singing our "Alphabet Song". Then we go on the "slides", followed by a walk up the "hill" and in the "woods" (they are about a dozen trees in one location in the park). Then we finish the time with another period of swinging and singing our "Alphabet Song." Usually Memaw (Pam) and Papaw (me) run out of time and desire before Alex does, then it is a persuasive act to get him to leave. This Monday morning, however, was different. We did the routine, and we were finishing up on the swings. I noticed myself starting to watch my wristwatch and getting anxious to leave.

It was then that I heard a small voice inside me say, "What are you in a hurry to get back to?" I realized then that while I had a lot to do, I didn't have anything that had to be done that day. I really did have time. So I settled my spirit, and I decided that we would swing and sing until Alex was ready. I would not be in a hurry. Each time we finished the "Alphabet Song" Alex would say "Again?" and Pam would look at me to see if I wanted to go, and I would start the song again. Finally, after about another 15 minutes, Alex said he was done and wanted out. I was so proud of myself. I had been patient, and I had waited for him to be done first. It really wasn't that much longer. Just 15 minutes. But then something happen to really shake me up.

Pam asked Alex if he would like to go back on the slides. Wait! This isn't what's supposed to happen! After the second swinging, we're supposed to go home! What was she doing? Even worse, Alex said yes. "God, this isn't fair! I was patient, but now I'm out of patience. I need to get home and back to work." I heard the small voice again. "Why? What is so important? Love your grandson. Enjoy the moment. Find me." So I told myself to be "in the moment." I asked God to help me see him. I started looking at the trees, the sky, feel the wind, enjoy the warmth of the sun, watch Alex play on the slides. ... ... ... Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I didn't see God. I didn't experience His presence. It was not a special moment.

That's when Alex said he wanted to walk up the "hill" and play. You've got to be kidding. But I heard the small voice say, "Go play. You will enjoy it." So I forgot everything else, I relaxed in my spirit, and I went to "play." Pam stood at the bottom of the "hill" and I stood at the top of the "hill". Alex would run between us. After several times, Pam told Alex at the end of one run that she needed a hug, and Alex hugged her. I thought that was a pretty good thing, so I did the same, and when Alex hugged me I thought that this was the moment God wanted me to experience. It was not. God had something much better planned for this day.

It was then that Alex looked up at me, and took my hand. He pointed to the end of the trees and said "go far", which is his way of saying he wanted to walk in the woods. You see, he always walks in the woods with Pam; so asking me was a special request. I looked at him and said "yes, we can go far." I expected him to release my hand and run ahead. It is how he always does it. But instead, he continued to hold my hand and we walked together to the end of the trees, and then we walked back, still hand in hand. As we got back, he looked up at me and he smiled. It was such a knowing, adult type smile. It said everything. And in that smile, I saw the smile of God. It said, "Here's your true moment, your true reward. I love you, and I am pleased." And in that moment I felt the presence of God fill that place and warm my soul. Alex then turned, let go of my hand, and ran to Memaw. He looked up at her, asked for water to drink, and then said he was done. He looked around and he said "Bye park. Next time." We had stayed until Alex was done. And he had stayed until Papaw could find God. As we left the park, I head God's voice inside me say, "Every week, I have dozens of these moments planned for my children. I wait to be found. I wait to love them. If only they would take the time to listen for my voice and then do as I lead. They can experience my presence, know my love, know the love that is around them, and experience the Kingdom again and again."

I look forward to finding my other moments this week. It turns out that this email is one of them. And I encourage you, "Seek the Kingdom" today, in the moments that you are living right now. Live a "sacred life" where divine moments surround you as you become more and more aware of God's presence throughout your ordinary day. May God bless you with His divine presence. May you find His love in the responding smiles of others around you. May you hear his voice deep within your spirit saying, "I love you and I am pleased."

This Saturday night we will continue our discussion on how to live a "sacred life." We will be discussing three obligations that come with being a child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ. These are non-negotiable. They must be done. We also have some special moments planned in observation of Memorial Day, and we will have pizza, Greek salad, drinks, snacks and desserts after the service. So come hungry. Not only for the food afterwards, but also for the worship and the Word, as discover together how we can ... ... ...

Live the Life,
Bruce

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