My dog, Rocky, has a lot of funny quirks. For example, he sneezes when he is excited. And he will only poop in bushes. Modest, I guess. And he loves to hunt lizards by pouncing on low-growing shrubs to scare them out.
Rocky also loves to back into me with his tail wagging so that it thwaps me in the legs. I think he likes to know that I am there. If I move away while he’s doing this, he will adjust his position so his tail is once again thwapping me. And his tail is very sturdy. It can knock drinks off the coffee table. His thwapping can be a lot to take. I put up with it because he seems comforted by it.
Sometimes you just want to know you’re not alone.
I love this well-known verse. I have recited it many times in the dark of night and in the low, lonely moments.
I love knowing that I am never truly alone. My loving, all-powerful God is everywhere. There is no place I can go where He’s not already there.
And when I need reassurance, God often reveals His presence to me if I’m looking for it and seek it out. He reveals His protection, comfort, and guidance to me the way a shepherd uses a rod and a staff, with a gentle nudge or purposeful tap.
When I was recovering from brain surgery, God reminded me of His presence with the iridescent glint of a hummingbird’s throat. When I was reeling from the death of my sister, God came to me again and again with the joyful and captivating songs of a mockingbird. When I learned of my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, He filled my office window with brilliant crape myrtle blossoms saying, “I’m here.”
When my dog needs to know I’m there, he backs into me with a wagging tail. If I back into God with my tail wagging, I will always find Him right here beside me.
Dear God,
Thank you for your promise never to leave me or forsake me. I’m so grateful that you are always here with me. Always. And I’m relieved that you make your presence clear to me when I need you most. Open my eyes and ears to your presence today.