Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handy-work.
What a picture we must have made when our friend Glennis walked into our first home in Redcliffe, Queensland. We had just bought our first home and my wife was sitting in a rocking chair, pregnant and ready to deliver soon. My four-year-old son was sitting on his small plastic red chair. I was sitting on the floor with a guitar case between us all using it as our table. A pizza box was open on the guitar case for our first meal, in our first home we had just moved into that day.
“Come on in and join us,” I said, when Glennis peeked into the open front door. We all began to laugh as she came and sat beside us on the floor and we feasted as only first time home buyers can do while thinking, “It isn’t much, but it’s ours.” Eph. 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Early the next morning there was a knock at the door and Glennis is saying, “Come and help me with this.” There she was with her small car and trailer, bringing us a 1950’s Formica table with chrome legs and border, plus three mismatched chairs. She said that she had brought them from her parents’ place, with their blessing, where the table and chairs were in storage.
We brought this incredible gift into the kitchen and we rejoiced at the wonder of it all. That morning I saw God in Glennis and in the shiny chrome jewel of provision. I knew in my heart that I had just seen God and everything was going to be well with us. Thank you, Glennis, you’re a real “sista” and mate. Psalm 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visits him.
What a picture we must have made when our friend Glennis walked into our first home in Redcliffe, Queensland. We had just bought our first home and my wife was sitting in a rocking chair, pregnant and ready to deliver soon. My four-year-old son was sitting on his small plastic red chair. I was sitting on the floor with a guitar case between us all using it as our table. A pizza box was open on the guitar case for our first meal, in our first home we had just moved into that day.
“Come on in and join us,” I said, when Glennis peeked into the open front door. We all began to laugh as she came and sat beside us on the floor and we feasted as only first time home buyers can do while thinking, “It isn’t much, but it’s ours.” Eph. 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Early the next morning there was a knock at the door and Glennis is saying, “Come and help me with this.” There she was with her small car and trailer, bringing us a 1950’s Formica table with chrome legs and border, plus three mismatched chairs. She said that she had brought them from her parents’ place, with their blessing, where the table and chairs were in storage.
We brought this incredible gift into the kitchen and we rejoiced at the wonder of it all. That morning I saw God in Glennis and in the shiny chrome jewel of provision. I knew in my heart that I had just seen God and everything was going to be well with us. Thank you, Glennis, you’re a real “sista” and mate. Psalm 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visits him.
I was walking through The Honolulu Museum of Art, and I was attracted to a Pierre-Auguste Renoir pencil drawing called Dance In The Country. I do not know why I was struck with such awe, but I was. From one foot away I stood very still for the longest time and beheld a simple pencil sketch that had captivated and moved my very soul. I did not notice the time go by until the lights started to dim, as the lights were on a motion sensor monitor. I realised I had not moved from that position and I was the only person in that display room. What a God moment that was for me. This print was absolutely filled with life; it had a force of creation activated within me.
I was enjoying the very presences of God. God and I were both admiring this small pencil drawing and I could not separate God from the awe I was feeling. Gen. 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Just before I left the museum that day I went back to see the Renoir one more time, and again it held me and filled me with clean and pure joy. I saw God that day and knew He was for me. Merci Monsieur Renoir. Jer. 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
I was enjoying the very presences of God. God and I were both admiring this small pencil drawing and I could not separate God from the awe I was feeling. Gen. 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Just before I left the museum that day I went back to see the Renoir one more time, and again it held me and filled me with clean and pure joy. I saw God that day and knew He was for me. Merci Monsieur Renoir. Jer. 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
I do not think we have to relegate God’s anointed presence to the sanctuary of our choice on Sunday mornings. He is in the heartwarming kindness that leads others to give to us when we were in need. He inspired the art and creativity that moves us to say, “Wow, God, is that ever amazing.” Eze. 48:35 And the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there. The meaning of the name Jehovah-Shammah is Jehovah is there. We lose sight of God being there because of the mundane routines that captivate our lives and sometimes make us feel like we are missing a bigger picture. I believe God is there in the everyday events of our lives.
I sometimes see God in the way a mother carries her child on her hip and they are giggling at each other, or a dad softly consoling his son as they walk off the field after a hard loss. When I am holding hands with my wife, or listening to the waves crash on the rocks. God is in that song that brought you to a place where you sang along in joy no matter what it sounded like to others.
God is in the first words your children ever spoke, or in the tug on your heart when you wiped away your child’s tears. God is there, saying, “I am for you.” The Lord is not some kill-joy trying to mess up every idea you get. On the contrary, most likely it is the Lord who gave you the blessed idea in order to help you become the person He created you to be. Yes, God is there and He will never leave you nor forsake you. Haggai 1:13 Then spake Haggai the LORD’S messenger in the LORD’S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD. I saw God on many occasions and in different events this week. Thank you, Lord, for being there.
I sometimes see God in the way a mother carries her child on her hip and they are giggling at each other, or a dad softly consoling his son as they walk off the field after a hard loss. When I am holding hands with my wife, or listening to the waves crash on the rocks. God is in that song that brought you to a place where you sang along in joy no matter what it sounded like to others.
God is in the first words your children ever spoke, or in the tug on your heart when you wiped away your child’s tears. God is there, saying, “I am for you.” The Lord is not some kill-joy trying to mess up every idea you get. On the contrary, most likely it is the Lord who gave you the blessed idea in order to help you become the person He created you to be. Yes, God is there and He will never leave you nor forsake you. Haggai 1:13 Then spake Haggai the LORD’S messenger in the LORD’S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD. I saw God on many occasions and in different events this week. Thank you, Lord, for being there.
Hi sista:) We love you and we are so grateful to our Lord for the way He brought us into friendship. We bless you and hope the very best for you and your family.
Hey Sir Norm,
Lady G (Glennis) here. Had a lovely grin whilst reminiscing on the beginnings of what has turned out to be a life-long friendship between our families. I too saw God that day — I felt His peace every time I came into your home. I recognized His presence when we would discuss spiritual things or you would play guitar and we would sing; when Celeste and I would drink "Quietly Chamomile" tea and she shared with me and taught me beautiful things that have stuck with me and made my life more beautiful. Only last evening, I sat with a girlfriend and drank Chamomile and Lavender tea and thought of Celeste and did what she showed me 20 odd years ago — used a teaspoon and wrapped the teabag string around the teabag in the spoon to squeeze all the "juice" out of it. For me, God is in the details too. I see the sacred in the ordinary. I saw God in the way you loved your young Adam back then, letting listen to the same tape over and over whilst "going to sleep" at night …. and in the delicious smell of the cologne that Celeste so carefully and lovingly bathed baby Troy — he was the best-smelling baby I've ever met. I'm so grateful for our friendship — it's been forever and I see God in that too 🙂 xoxo