Evoking the Presence of God
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Deuteronomy 31:8
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
My son recently went through the breakup of his relationship of nearly 15 years. He went through a lengthy period of sadness, grief, and depression. We helped all we could, but his mother and I struggled with not knowing how to provide the emotional support he needed.
A real struggle was in finding a place to live for him and his large dog. I mentioned that he may have to find a home for his dog if he wanted to live independently. He got very emotional and said, “Sometimes it feels like she is all I have in my life.” We replied, “You have parents who love you more than anything, friends, and family who also love you. Most of all, you always have God with you every minute of the day.”
He replied, “Dad, I have to say, it has been many years since I felt God’s presence.”
How do you tell a suffering adult that he is the reason that he doesn’t feel God’s presence? His partner did not have a relationship with God. He only came to Mass if I asked him to do so. Both spent many hours each week playing video games and watching movies. None of their friends practice a faith of any kind. God did not exist in their universe, as far as I could tell. Halloween was celebrated; God was left in church.
I have found that the way to feel God’s presence in my life is by simply inviting God to be present. Brother Lawrence says it best:
“He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.”
― Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
For me, devoting an hour per day to prayer and meditation is essential to keeping my relationship with God strong. When life intervenes, as it often does, I start to feel disconnected, restless, and unhappy. Mass attendance, Bible study and service to others also helps. But if I do not make the effort to keep God at the center of my life it all falls apart. God is ever present, so I know it is me that turns away. I pray that I shall always make God the focus of my daily living. I have yet to have this conversation with my son. He is not ready to hear it, But I also pray that my son comes to do likewise. Amen