December 30th, 2020

Written by Georgetta Hed

“…. Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14)  
 
At the age of 12 I knew very little about God, I believed He existed and that was it! I read many stories about God but couldn’t understand how He interacted in the lives of people if He was invisible. 

One rainy thunderstorm night, I learned experientially the power of God’s presence.  I was terrified of thunderstorms and this particular summer night we had a major thunderstorm. I can still remember each thunder making a loud noise and the crackling of the lightning that lite up my room leaving me crying with fear of dying.  I didn’t know what prayer to pray that night, so I cried out to God in fear “God help me, I don’t want to die!”  That night was monumental for me!  The Lord helped me immediately.  I heard him say “I will never leave you!”  I felt His presence for a moment or two and then drifted off to sleep immediately for the first time ever during a thunderstorm.

As a child I cried out to God, He heard me and drew near to me with His peace and comfort.  God still hears the cries of His children of any age when they call unto Him.  Whatever your fears seek Father God for help to carry you through the storms of your life. 

James 4:8 instructs us to “draw near to God and He will draw to you.”  We draw near to God in our prayers and from within our hearts, and when we do, Father God will manifest His presence to us personally.  Moses couldn’t imagine life without God’s presence so he prayed to God to know His way and for favor for himself and the nation (Exodus 33:14-15).  God answered Moses in v.15 “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”  Like Moses we too can know God’s way and experience His presence.  Are you in need of rest from the storms of life, then draw near to God and He will draw near to you, His presence will carry through those storms.