Where Can I Go From Your Presence?

Constants: a situation or state of affairs that do not change; remaining the same in all circumstances

I am on the go and where I stop, nobody knows, including me sometimes. How many times have I awakened in the night and run into a wall that I thought was a doorway, or opened a closet door and thought it was the bathroom door? Too many to count!

Thanks be to God that though my surroundings are often in a state of flux, my best friend, companion and guide – isn’t. My
Father is ALWAYS with me. Everywhere I go – He is there.

Psalm 139:7-10 says "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."

The little boy in this photo is playing a game of hide and seek. He thinks he's hidden. And isn't that like us? We think we can hide from God, and we often think He's hiding from us, but I love how Jeremiah 23:24 proves otherwise. "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord."

After a whirlwind week, I’m back home in Frisco and into my normal routines and familiar surroundings.

I think about the CONSTANTS in my life no matter where I am or where I go. Me (I can't get away from me -- I'm always with me) and Father God. I think about how blessed I am to acknowledge the real fact that I will never be without Him and His presence. I see Him everywhere -- in the magnificent beauties of His creation -- the hills, the valleys, the marvelous trees in bloom and the beautiful, fragrant flowers. I see Him in His children -- big and small, tall and thin, old and young. I hear Him in the laughter of others. I sense Him when I open my eyes and heart to Him when I meditate on Him as I start to write my morning FB post. "When you seek me, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:13

I think about a story my husband loved to tell. This was back in the days before bucket seats in cars and you could cozy up to our sweetheart when he drove the car. A wife said, "Sweetheart, why don't we sit close together anymore?" The husband said, "You tell me. You're the one that moved next to the door. I'm still in the same seat I've always been in!" And, I think that's what God must say when we declare "I just don't feel God in my life anymore!" He says, "I'm right here with you as I always have been. I didn't move. Snuggle in closer to Me and you'll find me right here where I've always been."

Date Nut Loaf -- What Are Your Constants?

Day 20 -- Photo Inspiration:  Mom's (aka Granny) Date Nut Loaf.
I stopped in to see Mom (my Mother-in-Law) yesterday.  She had just finished pouring her famous Date Nut Loaf batter into the pan and the tin can.  Yes, tin cans make for the perfect individual size loaf pan.  And, for ease of removal of the "cooked" loaf -- she always lines her pans with wax paper. (Tips of the day for you!)

Mom's always been known for her baking -- best pie crusts ever (apple pie is her specialty), best chocolate cake ever, best kuchen (German cake -- Mom is German), best chocolate chip cookies, matrimonial cake, shortbread cookies, and, of course, the best Date Nut Loaf EVER.  Here's the thing about yesterday's baking.....it was, typically, done before Christmas, but this year....it's happening the middle of January -- perhaps, her NEW normal.

She's 92 and her new "normal" is very different than years past.  This is a lady that has been the epitome of the energizer bunny.  Now, she walks slower, doesn't stand for long periods of time, On cold days, she stays in because the cold causes her knees to hurt too much.  She doesn't cook much anymore.  She doesn't entertain much anymore.  She asked me to bring her mail in for her today.  She told me the slight incline on her sidewalk is too much for her now. She doesn't walk outside too much at all anymore.  She doesn't go shopping anymore.

But here are her constants -- her weekly hair appointments, her great granddaughter visiting her every Monday, sleeping well at night, her daily devotions, her prayer time, her attendance at church and giving to her church  Those are her priorities and those are her constants.  I know it's hard for us to relate to her because our lives are so busy and full -- but one day.....we'll be there, and we'll understand how important "constants" are.  As I continue to mature....I'm appreciating each of these seasons that we come to in our lives and I pray that my constants will include those that are so important to her.

And I think, she would be most pleased with me if I GAVE you her best EVER Date Nut Loaf Recipe -- direct from our family's recipe book.  BTW -- the recipe says run (rum) or orange juice.  Mom always used orange juice -- never rum -- she was a straight-laced pastor's wife for over 50 years, and she toed the line in more ways than one!