Are you there God, it's me Mari?

Do you remember the book "Are you there God, it's me Margaret?" by Judy Blume. The character Margaret had constant communication with God. If I remember correctly Margaret was a pre-teen and throughout the book she mentions that her family is not religious but feels a connection with God. The last six months of my life a day doesn't go by without prayer; now my whole day is filled with prayer. When does prayer become conversation? When we realize that we don't have to come into His presence because we are always in His presence. As a child, prayer was the what we did at meal times and before bed. As a teenager and young adult my prayers were "get me out of this mess, God". As a mom and wife I wanted prayer to be more effective but I wasn't dedicated enough to grow in Christ. I know God was always besides me whether or not I spoke to Him, now my prayers are so much more.

There is a bible character that reminds of the fictional character Margaret, Enoch in Genesis 5:21-24. Enoch was dedicated to have a fellowship with God and walked with God for 365 years. His relationship was habitual and he pleased God. The bible doesn't explain why God took Enoch without experiencing death, I believe it was the faithful relationship Enoch had with God.

Matthew 22:36 -38 Tells us about the greatest commandment. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' "This is the first and greatest commandment.

Do we not long to be spend time with our spouse, our children, our friends, or our relatives? When there is a party or get together planned, does our heart fill with anticipation? At the dinner table, isn't the best when everyone is sharing and laughing? This is exactly how God feels about us. He longs with anticipation to spend time with us. He created us to have fellowship with Him.

How do we begin this relationship? Day by day, reading our bible daily, getting into the habit of speaking directly to our Father God, and asking Him to show us the best way to start this relationship. I know someone who texts God. I always picture Him next to me where ever I am. When I am driving alone I clear the front the seat for Jesus. When I go for walks He walks with me. I even talk to Him out loud. Begin first thing in the morning, start on your knees with thanking Him for a new day and new mercies and then go from there.

If I remember correctly I believe somewhere in the book Margaret gets upset with God and the last line of book reads, Are you still there God? It's me, Margaret. I know you're there God. I know you wouldn't have missed this for anything! Thank you God. Thanks an awful lot....

God is there for you, talk to Him.

Marisol