He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  Colossians 1:17

Happy Wednesday!  I hope your day is full of hope and love.  As you go through the day, think of all the ways you can help others.  Then, follow through.

Have you ever been drawn to someone for some unknown reason?  Do you feel God’s presence in others?  I’m taking a class on prayer and the professor told a story about a man he referred to as Brother Lawrence.  The story unfolded something like this.  Brother Lawrence was a missionary in France that wanted to help at a monastery.  He asked the priests if he could just clean, garden and cook for them for he wasn’t a priest.  They agreed.  Right from the start Brother Lawrence arose in the morning with the other priests and prayed.  He knew 1 Thessalonians 5:17 states that we should “be unceasing and persistent in prayer,” so as he went about his work schedule, he prayed.  At first, he found his mind would wander, but he would redirect and keep praying.  Over time, something happened.  People were drawn to him.  As he would go through his work day, people would gather to be in his presence because he had grown so close to our Lord.  He didn’t teach or preach.  He just kept working and while they stood nearby.  Wow!  I can’t even imagine seeing something like that.  I was so impressed by this story that I decided to do a little research of my own.  The story is true.  According to Wikipedia “Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (c. 1614 – 12 February 1691) served as a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris”,  I encourage you to read the book about him entitled The Practice of the Presence of God.

I share this story with you today because Brother Lawrence did not have a special gift that the rest of us don’t have.  Anyone can live in God’s presence and that is one way we can make a huge difference in the world everyday.  We just have to talk to God all the time.

So, as you go through your day, talk to God often, unceasing and persistent.  God bless you.