I saw the most incredible thing yesterday.
My fiancé and I were visiting his father’s grave and when you arrive at mausoleum, you have to pass through a beautiful chapel.
And look at this incredible sun beam that was shining through the skylight, directly in front of Jesus on the Cross, and right at our feet.
It was a cloudy day outside, and the sky was doing that beautiful “Heaven sunbeams” thing, where defined rays of light pierce through the clouds. And one pierced right here.
We were all in awe at the beauty and magnificence of this divine sunbeam, and my fiancé captured it on camera.
There was something about yesterday that made God feel really close.
At Mass in the morning – we went to a new church with the most beautiful, moving music. And then to see that beautiful sun ray right on the Cross, it felt as though God was reaching through the clouds to personally touch us.
And all day, it was as though everything was lining up just right. There was extra joy, things felt light, and it was stemmed from this tangible observance of God’s presence at the beginning of the day.
And it made me wonder: why does it take a miraculously placed sun beam, or a moving song at church to “feel God” so profoundly?
And here’s what I can break it down to:
Yesterday morning, we were “smacked” upside the head, so to speak, and jolted by His presence. And so then, for the rest of the day, we were – not just aware, — but actively looking for Him.
For the rest of the day, we were trying to find Him in the everyday monotony. In the little things. In our decisions. We were seeking Him. And therefore, my mind was focused on Him all day, thus He felt so close.
Which begs the question: why don’t I do that everyday?
Why did it take that sunbeam to jolt me into attention.
I think sometimes the Father gently reminds us that He is near, every moment of every day. It’s up to us to recognize that He’s there.
Because He’s always close. The only difference with yesterday, was that I realized it.
I’m grateful for that sunbeam. Because it was a perfectly-timed reminder to seek God everyday, and how beautiful life can be when you live in His peace.
Lord, help me to actively seek You this week, and keep You centered in my mind throughout the day.
How do you keep God in your thoughts throughout the day? Do you have a morning routine that includes prayer or worship? Let me know! I’m hungry for ideas!
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32 responses to “God, is that You?”
A beautiful post thank you so much Caralyn you so beautiful
I don’t know why, but butterflies have always reminded me of Jesus’ Presence in everyday life. So, I bought a pretty butterfly artwork to put on my table at work. I also write out and buy scripture verses to put all around my house to remind me of His Word, which will always remain when everything else fades away. <3
Yes ma’am, He is ever present; however, sometimes we get caught up and/or entangled with worldly things. One of our faults as humans, we loose focus. Importantly, we do not lose ourselves, just temporary focus. Lord, give me/us the wisdom and strength to stay true to You. Help me/us to follow You, Your word, and Your example as we strive to reach a place in “Communion” with You, the Holy Family, and Angels and Saints.”
You, young lady are in my daily prayers as you are an inspiration to many. God bless you and Stephen.
The Divine Image
BY WILLIAM BLAKE
To Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
All pray in their distress;
And to these virtues of delight
Return their thankfulness.
For Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is God, our father dear,
And Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is Man, his child and care.
For Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress.
Then every man, of every clime,
That prays in his distress,
Prays to the human form divine,
Love, Mercy, Pity, Peace.
And all must love the human form,
In heathen, Turk, or Jew;
Where Mercy, Love, and Pity dwell
There God is dwelling too.
I love Blake! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Loved this post! I love to listen to praise and worship music and contemporary Christian music on Spotify when I shower and have my own personal praise party! I feel clean inside and out when done.☺️
Absoulty beautiful blog I know God wants us to know he is always close by
Beautiful post, Caralyn!
The song ‘Goodness of God’ is my current favourite but any worship song will transcend my day. The words ‘all my life you have been faithful, all my life you have been so-so good’ transport me as I think about them. But I often need to be reminded of His presence too. Each day we set our alarm to wake up early enough to open the Bible Ap, (you version) and listen to someone from around the world expound on the verse for the day for a minute or so, we then listen to a chapter from our current reading of the bible. Then we also listen to a message from ‘Word for today’ from Vision ministries (probably only 1 or 2 minutes) after which we pray for the people on our hearts and comit the day to the Lord. It probably only takes about 15 minutes but we would feel ill prepared for the day if we missed it even once.
When I wake up, before I get out of bed, I thank God for restoring me and ask him to help me complete the tasks he has set before me. I say ” Today is the Lord’s day and I am going to enjoy it” and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” . That’s a Joyce Meyers special! I read the daily readings from the USCCB while I have a cup of coffee and when I walk my little ones to the bus stop I say the Magnificat. We say a prayer before they go to school and I say The Angelus on the walk home. I have to sit in a ling pick up line after school, so I say the rosary. When I put my kids to bed we say prayers and I sit with them and say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
Writing it down, it sounds like alot but it just has worked into my day over time. I asked God how I could devote more time to him and he showed me little ways. These little ways open my eyes and heart to him throughout my day. It is such a blessing of reciprocity.
I’ve spent the first hour of every morning with God since I was about 15. That’s almost 40 years.
I read devotional thoughts and scriptures, pray, and write down my thoughts.
The ray of light you saw sounds like a miracle.
God Bless!
Beautiful reminder of His glory! I try to spend time in the morning with Him–that private worship sets the tone for the day. However, what I do varies–sometimes I pray, sometimes I study scripture, sometimes I review memory verses. I also use that time to serve others by writing encouraging cards or texts. Keeping my mind on Him all day takes effort. As you said, I need to intentionally seek Him and not get lost in the busyness of the day.
Being too busy is often our biggest enemy of recognising God in our lives. checking in with him regularly throughout the day can help.
Yes, I have a morning routine of quiet time with God, Bible reading, devotionals, prayer & praise. I see Him in the beauty around me all the time. I am so glad He sent you that sunbeam. He sent me your blog. It’s a reminder, too. Keep my eyes open to His blessings every day. You, Caralyn, and Stephen are part of them!
Hey Carolyn 🙂
I believe sun worship is far more widespread than is commonly believed (BTW: if you miss my “galactic birthday”, I will never forgive you! 😯 [LOL 😉 ] ).
Totally unrelated tidbit: I just posted about a lovely story about a girl who also apparently lives in NYC over @ wants.blog — I think you should check it out, and maybe even get in touch, compare notes, whatever.
🙂 Norbert
We have a morning routine of scripture reading and prayer; this has been such a plus in our marriage, too. Frederich Buechner writes a great deal about seeing God in the “every day” of life; it is a refreshing and awe inspiring way to live – looking for Him to speak to us through our lives. In fact, I just wrote about His use of CLOUDS to communicate with me a week or so ago (see website address below to read). Thanks for the post!
I love this! He is a Daddy who is near!! He takes joy in us looking for His hand at work and having a expectation of His GOOD.
Beautiful! And you’re so right–we need to seek God every single day!
Encouraging post. I believe God is speaking to us but most of the time we are not listening. Blessings to you.
Wonderful encouraging post. I believe that His angels are encamped around me these days as I recover from difficult back surgery. But you are right, in that when all is well, I just take it for granted and something like the smile of another person reminds me that my Redeemer lives. The picture is beautiful and a great example that Jesus will never leave us, even though often when in difficult times we sometimes feel alone. To God be the glory!
Beautiful! I love when God does that. It reminds me of his majesty and splendor. While I talk to Jesus all day, those awe-inspiring moments when God sends a flower, butterfly or sunbeams through clouds halts us in reverence – which is the beginning of wisdom. Many years ago, I decided not to get out of bed until I spent the first of my day with Jesus. Now it’s “good morning, Lord” this is your day and I will be glad in it. What do you want for me today? Worship music, Bible reading/praying it too. journaling (S.O.A.P. = scripture, observation, application, prayer we call it), and often I also listen to other pastors’ and/or prophets’ messages. Usually a couple of hours. The more time in his presence, the better!
“He’s always close. The only difference with yesterday, was that I realized it.”
Yes, He is always close, as other commenters have noted. This is the beginning of your learning to “pray without ceasing,” as Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (Pray continually, NCB). This is learning to direct out constant thought life to the awareness of Father’s presence; just directing our inner conversation to Him instead of ourselves.
Start a day with ODB (Our Daily Bread) and become more and more aware of His presence as was Brother Lawrence when he wrote “The Practice of the Presence of God.”
See also https://capost2k.wordpress.com/2016/08/20/practice-the-presence/.
love and prayers for both you and Steven!
c.a.
I prayer journal and write down what the Holy Spirit says to me. It allows for us to have a conversation and it’s what keeps me grounded to hear from Him in my daily life. I also make an effort to read Oswald Chambers’ devotional “My Utmost for His Highest.”
God reveals Himself to us in a multiplicity of ways through His creation but it is in the quiet moments in reading of the Word or prayer we have our ultimate experience with Him.
Awesome post Caralyn. When I was doing a bible school course some years ago, one of the required reading was a book called, “Is that really you, God?”
Your post reminded me of that book. I encourage you to read it. It was a great book about hearing and discerning God’s voice.
God reveals himself to us in a number of ways. However we also should be aware that there are other spirits out there and our adversary the Devil has been known to appear as an Angel of Light from time to time.
Signs and wonders are amazing, but they should be confirmed with scripture and should always be taken and viewed in context.
He is close, I just have to realize it. Great post Caralyn!
I drove from Brisbane to Melbourne this past week – about 1,200 miles. So, I have had some time to think about this! 🤯 I realised I am more disciplined with my heart than with my mind… 🤔
Routine? Kind of.
(Yes, there’s a need to slow down…)
I have been praying some Celtic Christian prayers (https://www.amazon.com/Edge-Glory-spck-classic/dp/0281064512/) – which have more of an emphasis on the senses.
oh wow! glad you made it safely!
Um, up above I mentioned something about “galactic birthday” — I was referring to the astronomical concept of a “galactic year” (I didn’t realize that there seems to also be an astrological concept that apparently goes by the name of a “galactic birthday” — yet which [AFAIK] has nothing to do with a “galactic year”) #OMG # HopeThisClarifiesSomething #WhereAmI 😉 ps FYI: According to wikipedia.org (last time I looked, that is), our solar system’s galactic year is about 225-250 million Earth years — maybe give or take a few million years. 😉
oh hahah! i had no idea! 🙂 how very interestin! thanks for sharing! Hugs and love xox
Well said! I find that when I focus on God and his handiwork that I don’t get much done. 😉 I’m sitting here working on a computer that is on a beautiful oak table. I look up and see the leaves dancing the in breeze. All of the beauty that He created. Yep, not getting things done.
Amen! Very thought provoking post. And my answers to your questions:
How do you keep God in your thoughts throughout the day? Mediating on His word. Do you have a morning routine that includes prayer or worship? Mainly prayer. It all goes how the Holy Spirit would lead me. <3