"Stay with us always"

When I left for a 5-day conference not long ago, I gave the boys each a toy cell phone that I could record my voice on. It touched my heart to see how much they liked hearing my simple “I love you; be good for daddy; see you soon…” message.

The toy was too easy to erase though; the touch of a button and my voice was gone. When I got back from my trip 5 year old Bug asked “Mom, can you put your voice back on my phone?” He’s the same son who later asked when I was going to my conference again. “Do you want me to go again soon?” “No,” he said, “I want you to stay with us always.”

I may be all grown up, but sometimes I feel the same way, wanting to have a tangible reminder of God’s presence. I wish I could live in worship at church or the rich fellowship and teaching of a conference or immersed in the magnificence of mountains—anyplace his presence is so obvious and his voice seems so clear.

We have a loving Father who really does “stay with us always.” He never goes to a conference, takes a vacation and leaves me with Grandma, he's not even gone from me when he's "at work."

Instead of putting his voice on a toy that can be erased with the touch of a button, he’s given us his word that is filled with every word of encouragement, love, correction and instruction that we will ever need. When the days are long or the nights are scary, I can share my heart with him through my prayers and hear his heart by opening my Bible.

I hope to share with my son the comfort that comes from knowing that no matter who else may come and go, God is always with us.

Psalm 139:7-10

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.