God's third call to me (final in this series)

This is the third time I come to speak to you. I speak to you today in only short bits and short moments of conversation, for your time is so limited with me. Please do not consider that our prayer time as a chore to curry favor with "The Almighty." Think of it as what you often said: As time to spend with the creator of the universe. Do you not know that I created the heavens and the earth? Do you want to spend an hour with the creator begging and pleading, using the same words over and over when I already know your needs?

 Or do you want to stop and listen to me? I hope you care to hear from me. I will tell you to hold tight to what is good, shun what is evil and cling to that which shall endure. I am here for you. Do not seek the refuge of a vice or sin or distraction, but listen to me and see how your prayer time goes. Hearken your ears and attune them to the right frequency of prayer. Ask me questions and listen for my answers. Call to me and draw near and see what will come of our times together in prayer.

"Lord I listen to you and for you."

Don’t just listen then, but look for me too. Look around. Can you see me in the creation and in the stars? Don’t feel that prayer is limited to the prayer closet and that your eyes are meant to be closed tightly to "see" me. Hearing is not left solely for words of scripture, but of nature, of children, of wisdom of others, of cries of sorrow and laughter of old people. When you hear an ambulance siren, know that it is a sound of someone in pain and that I am answering. When you see a window shut on a house, know that while you cannot see in, I can and see the joy and sorrow therein.  Listen for music. Can you discern me in fragrances, of the yeast of rising bread, in the smell of flowers, in cinnamon, spice, and in the rain? The almighty comes in small things, quietly at times, in stillness and silence. Can you sense the almighty in rain as it falls on the ground and on your face. Can you see my joy as puddles of water splash upward and back down again and again. Dare I mention a sunrise? The wind as it blows across the grass and leaves. The thunder you hear, it is my voice calling to you and saying there is more than you know. Oh the prayer time is so much more than you speaking to a wall or reaching as far as the ceiling.

Prayer is feeling sadness and joy. I share those with you. Your anger, I understand. Your feelings of worry can be calmed when you rest in me. The friends of my son thought they were going to die in a storm due to their lack of faith and just as they should have recognized the utter ridiculousness of those fears. I likewise tenderly but with grave admonition say to you, "Where is your faith?" so that you too see, as the disciples saw, that your worries almost insults me. Look how a child goes on when a parent only goes to another room or to work or to church. The father or mother has not left that child forever. Nor have I nor would I nor will I leave you! Feel that my presence is greater than any emotion that you feel right now. "Why did you ever doubt?"

Listen. See. Feel. Smell. Do you know that your fragrance is lifted up to heaven to me when you pray. My son was touched by the alabaster offering and the aroma that filled the room. Your sweet savor is a blessing to me. Linger long in the presence of blossoms and flowers. Drink deeply the aroma of fires that warm the depths of winter air. The soothing aroma of prayer is a sacrificial acceptance to me, and I ask you to breath deeply the pleasure of life. Worship me in all your senses by enjoying things as simple as rain's sweet scent, of freshly squeezed lemons and oranges, of petals crushed together.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. You can enjoy my presence in food and enjoyment of life, but do you? Or do you merely rush to eat for your own pleasure and fail to discern my presence with you. There are spiritual senses that you do not know are portals of entry for good and evil. Use them for good. Arousal of the spiritual and physical senses is a portal for good and bad. Seek the joy that I created. Sorrow and laughter are gateways for the soul. Envy and pride can be turned into wholesome desire and glory in accomplishment.

I may not always speak to you in this way, but I will always speak to you in some way, in your heart if you take time to listen, see, feel, sense and taste for my presence, for I am all around you.