Friday evening and yesterday we were blessed to take part in a Spiritual Zoom Retreat. One of the questions we were asked at the beginning was what are you seeking? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself that question? My answer was a closer walk with God in patience and trust.

We were led in an exercise of quiet where we could rest, receive, respond. There’s kind of an anticipation at spiritual retreats; will I meet God? What was disconcerting to me was in that quiet time I experienced quick barbs of thoughts that I had a hard time quelling. I became discouraged and wondered what was wrong with me. They were barbs of doubt, almost ridicule.

During the night I woke up and felt like I was in conversation that was ongoing with God. I told Him how sorry I was for those thoughts. My fears were brought forth one by one and God told me to give them to Him and trust Him. One after another I thought of worries and the same response…Trust Me…after each one in almost rapid succession. Then when the worries were spent, I saw a scene so beautiful and a sense of peace washed over me and there was a sense of white light that was comforting. I woke up later deeply moved. I’m moved still.

One of my favorite presentations yesterday was the reminder that God is everywhere we just haven’t taken the time to see Him. Everything in creation proclaims Him. He seeks moment-by-moment relationship with us. The presenter suggested asking ourselves each day, where have I seen God in Creation; where have I heard God in conversation; where have I seen God in circumstances?

Notice. Awake to notice. Instead of blindly going through our days with our thoughts swirling around and lists of things to be done – open your eyes to see the beautiful trees, flowers; to listen to birdsong, streams or ocean waves if you are so fortunate, the laughter of children, the gentle hum of the air conditioner bringing relief in this hot summer. It only takes a moment but those are moments we can share with Him and in those moments be closer.

As we notice, give thanks to the God who created everything that is. Draw near in quiet conversation and share your heart – then listen. We watched a video of a forest scene with a gentle stream flowing and birdsong filling the air. We were given time to relax and if we felt like it to write words down or draw the scene before us but most of all to be with God in quiet. I wrote down my reflections that were a song of thankfulness:

Thank you Lord for joyous songs from mouths of birds so small; from water flowing gently by, the Creation praises you. Your symphony fills my heart and soul and brings me close to you. Bring me to Your arms dear Lord and let my heart sing forth in songs of love and gratefulness to You, Creator God. I long to join with Angel choirs and sing about Your love – with birds and streams and creatures all – rejoicing…we are Yours! The trees will sway in gentle breeze, the dappled light will fall. O let us sing and sing again the wonders You perform. Stay close O Lord, we rest in You – in You we find our joy. In You our moments fill with song so holy, rich and pure. I sing to You a new song as old as time itself: You are our God who loves us dear and brings us Home to You.

I can have a closer walk with God when I take the time to notice He is there beside me. As I become more aware of His Presence, I am filled with a peace that nothing else can provide. I see the beauty He created. I hear the sounds that exist because He created. I know the love of family and friends because He loves and longs for that for us.

The world today is filled with uncertainty and turmoil. Open your eyes and see and hear all that He made for you – your heart knows Him! Listen to your heart and sing a new song with Him.