One sunny day after a storm had just passed us by, my family and I observed a lizard crawling on the outside of our dining room window. Notice, I said outside of the window.  This would have been a totally different post, had that little guy been inside.  Anyhow, my children seemed to think that Mr. Lizard was a cute sight to see, so I thought.  Fast forward to bed time, I don’t know about in your house, but in my house, the youngest little jewel tends to do everything that she can to stall from going to bed.  From saying that she needs another hug, wants to put some socks on, needs a sip of water, or needs to go to the bathroom, “Operation Not Going to Bed” stall tactics go into full effect.  At any rate, this night, I recognized that when I heard her sincere cry, with the real tears flowing, I knew that this was not one of her strategies to avoid getting her beauty rest.  My child was scared.  

All I could hear from downstairs was “Mommy, I don’t want the lizard to get me.” As I entered her room, she kept saying, “Mommy, the lizard is going to get me, I don’t want him to get me.” I tried to console my baby by telling her that the lizard was long gone, and he was OUTSIDE of the house with no means to get in, but those words did not stop the genuine fear from taunting my sweet girl.  Through the tears, she stated, “Mommy, sit with me.” So as I had done on many nights before, I took a seat on the floor next to her bed.  The tears quickly stopped flowing, the sniffles subsided, and my daughter peacefully went to sleep.  

As I sat on her bedroom floor, two powerful messages went through my mind.  First, I was reminded that I can get so tired by the end of the day, to the point where I am rushing to put my child to bed, that sometimes I forget the power of slowing down, and just sitting with her because she needs and values my presence.  My presence in her life in that special moment helped bring her a sense of peace.  The rest of my nightly routine could wait, because God blessed me with this gentle ministry moment with my little one as her mother. 

Secondly, I was reminded of our Heavenly Father God. I was reminded that just as my child found peace and rest in my presence, we can find peace and rest in His presence.  No matter what fears may try to creep in, if we get into His presence, and recognize that He is with us, we can trust that all is well, there is no need to worry, He has us covered, and guess what, we can go to sleep.  In Our Father’s presence, we can experience true rest and that peace that surpasses all understanding despite what may be going on around us.  

Psalm 4:8 states, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone LORD make me dwell in safety,” (NIV). There is just something about the presence of the Lord, God, Our Father that allows us to rest confident and assured if we place our focus on knowing that He is there. We are not alone!  There is also power in being that literal human presence for someone who just needs to know that there is someone who is there who cares. This does not just apply to parents and their children.  This applies to friends, sisters, brothers, co-workers, spouses, neighbors, I could keep going, but I know you are catching the vision. Even when physical presence is not possible, a phone call with a listening ear can be just as effective.  I’d also like to point out that being fully present means with no distractions such as the TV or phone, because oftentimes those devices hinder being fully present both with God and with others. The presence of God and our presence within the lives of others are free, yet extremely precious and valuable gifts. God has created us all to minister to others, and in those moments, just as we are present with them, as He reminded me with my daughter, He too is present with us. 

Reflect & Relate

What can you do to get into God’s presence? 

What have you discovered when you reach out for Him and allow Him to sit with you? 

Additionally, who could benefit from your presence, no words needed, no distractions, but just your presence?  

Let us pray

Dear God, my Father, thank you for reminding me that I can find peace in your presence. When I find myself getting overwhelmed, please help me to seek your presence so that I can find safety and rest.  Please also reveal those whose lives in which you want me to be more present.  Please help me to put down my agenda,  devices and any other distractions that interfere with being fully present in the lives of those with whom you have called me to be present in their times of need.  Just as your presence is a gift in my life, I want my presence to be a gift in the life of others.  I love you and give you all of the praise.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.  

Please be sure to check out Quinnise’s new book, “A Glimpse of Our Father: Lessons Parenthood Reveals for All of God’s Children.”