I am here
Earlier this week, one of my good friends was talking with me about some struggles she’s been having with worry. She said she has begun starting out her day with the phrase “Right now I am okay. I have everything I need in this moment.” How many of us need this gentle reminder that we are safe, that we are okay, that we are protected? As I prayed about this idea of being present in the moment, a different perspective emerged for me. The emphasis went from one of being in the present moment, to realizing who was in the present moment with me.
“I am here” is a phrase that I like to use. Three little words that I say to remind myself that I am choosing to be present in this moment of the day, not thinking about the past, or worrying about the future. Nothing from tomorrow can touch me or worry me. No regrets from yesterday have a place. Then Jesus gently lets me know that this little phrase can also be a reminder that I am not alone in this moment. He is gently saying to me, “Daughter, I am here.” Jesus, who is with me in each moment of every day that He gives to me, is just reminding me of His abiding presence in the present moment.
Often as a child, I would ask Jesus to hold my hand when I felt scared, overwhelmed or alone. To this day I still close my hand to hold His whenever I need a reminder that He is here, in this moment. No one else notices my small prayer gesture - that of my closed fist reminding me that God is happy to hold my hand whenever I need Him to. It’s a powerful reminder to me that, although I’ve grown up, I am still just a child of God, a daughter of the King, who never walks alone. God is mighty and He is our ever present, ever faithful, ever loving Father and we are His. We are here, together. I’ll close with two of my favorite scriptures that come to mind about God’s faithful, loving presence and His heartfelt desire to be our loving Father who never leaves us.
“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here I am.” Isaiah 58:8-9 NLT
“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NLT