Back to the Basics

It's not very often that I find the time to write in a coffee shop anymore. Most of it is now done at home, if it is done at all, but tonight I just needed to get away. It's been a long time since I have just had a night alone with the Lord and I am in desperate need of it. I am involved with a lot of different things and I really don't think or feel like my time is crunched or that I'm overly busy, but tonight I just needed to space to breathe. I am around people a lot these days, more so than I've been before. I've had a lot of time alone with the Lord over the past few years and having it change to less hasn't been a bad thing, but it has been a difficult thing for me. I enjoy spending time with God and singing, listening to Him, reading the Scriptures, praying and hearing sermons preached, and doing less of that is ok because I'm doing things in place of it that He has guided me to do, but I've got to say that it's been refreshing to have a night once again where I have nothing to do, but to drink deeply of HIm. I think of the deer panting for rivers of living water and our souls longing after HIm. That's how mine has felt lately and tonight I have been able to satisfy that thirst. Or, more so, God has been able to satisfy that thirst. There really isn't anything else like being able to spend time in His presence. I know that friendships, and Church community, and things like that are important, but to just sit quietly in His presence and be with Him is one of the most wonderful joys in life that I have found. I want to leave you with the words from one of my favorite hymns, "What a Friend We Have In Jesus."

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

It is in this friendship that we find all of our needs met.