And God said...

Sharing a conversation I had tonight with God...sharing it in hopes it encourages and build YOU up too...

We have been going on vacation with some friends, to the same camp for the past 3 years. We stay in a large house together, equipped with a beautiful wrap around porch that overlooks the mountain, that the huge old house rests upon. On the porch was an old glider.

I loved the glider, because I would rise early before most of the camp and sit with God on this glider. I would sing to God, pray to God, question God and the best best part, was I clearly heard God's voice upon this old old glider.

The people we went with knew my love of this glider and my time with God upon it. I had shared often of my time with Him and how I longed for my time there with God each new morning. Vacation was really about this glider for me.

This year at camp was no different. Though the old glider was not in place when we arrived, my girlfriend's husband went about setting it up for us.

Then my vacation ended and the people who ran *camp* threw it out. My friends saw it and asked if they could have it. They stripped it down and drove it home, they showed it to me on their porch. I nearly cried. I *was* happy for them. As it was a wonderful couch and certainly would be put to excellent use with their family and their newly renovated porch. But something inside of me began weeping. Bitterness began to grow, as I so loved this old rocker. I asked God why He didn't give *me* the glider...we had been there too. Why didn't He let me bring it home, why wait 2 days after I left to heave it to the curb?

I even began sharing this with some close friends, as my heart was very heavy about the *loss* of the swinging sofa. They told me 'I didn't need the couch, as I heard from God all the time.' I knew they were right, but still I had *loved* this old couch and looked forward to those sunrises upon it, with God right there beside me.

Knowing it would never be again, made my heart ache. I found myself tearing up just thinking about it. I confessed I didn't want to go back to camp now.

Tonight as I sat on my porch and again thought about how I'd never have this couch again, God spoke to me.

He said, 'Do you love the couch more than me?' My eyes filled with tears and I answered in my heart, 'No Lord, you know I love you more.'

He said, 'I have given you other gifts' and this wasn't for me, though He knew I had loved it (because of Him).

He then asked me, 'Do you want my Presence or an old metal couch once a year?'

I told Him of course it was Him.

How foolish I am. It wasn't about the couch ever, it was about God's Presence. Somehow I had attached it to the couch...as it was something tangible that I could hold, when His Presence is something I have found to be fleeting in my life. I thought if I could *have* that couch all year, that maybe I could hear Him clearer, have more time with Him...when TRULY all He wants is for me to *want Him, to ask Him and to make the time for Him.*

And He wants the same for you...let's 'burn our couches' (like the explorers would do to their ships, so they wouldn't be tempted to go back to the familiar) and let us seek His Presence like never before.

I am wiping my tears and waiting expectantly for Him.