Don't Ask For His Presence~

Good afternoon~

One of the very first dates Jorge and I had was a fishing trip on his dad's boat. It didn't take long for me to get seasick, and yes, I hurled in front of the man whom I least wanted to ever see me like that.

I was mortified, and his dad had to turn the boat around and get me back to dry land. Luckily for them they still managed to catch a dolphin in the process.

Being seasick was an awful feeling, and I felt my body swaying for hours after I was ashore. But at least, I never feared for my life. In fact, I recall Jorge and his parents kind of making fun of me because I couldn't handle the one-foot waves. (Excuse me for never ever having been on a boat before!)

My experience was totally different than what happened to the disciples. They were caught in a furious storm and they were freaking out.

Matthew 8:25-26

"The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!'"

As bad as being seasick was, I will agree that fear of drowning has to be way worse. And even though Jesus was asleep--sometimes we feel as though He is tuned out of our life as well--the reality is the disciples didn't have to go too far for help.

YOU NEVER HAVE TO GO FAR TO ASK FOR HELP.

Faith-building lesson of the day: If you feel like you're going to drown, shout for salvation! Make it loud enough that you need to use exclamation points. It's OK.

I find it immensely comforting that Jesus is always with me. Closer than close. And that He knows that sometimes I need to yell.

And He is with each of you--right now.

Sometimes I ask for His presence, and then I correct myself and thank Him that He is always with me.

Sometimes I ask Him to be with my children, then I take it back and thank Him that He is their tightly-knit Companion.

Do you see the difference? If we can accept by faith that Jesus is literally with us, it will change our entire perspective for the better.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Sometimes we are guilty of asking You to be with us, when You are already here. We want to be purposeful in our prayers, and that means we must pray with precision. Thank You for Your constant and abiding presence in our life. We need You every second of every minute of every hour of every day. In Jesus' name, AMEN~