By Doug Creamer

He Really Loves Us

            I went for a walk early in the week. The sky was a beautiful Carolina blue. The sun was low in the sky and it illuminated the fall leaves that were still hanging on the trees. I heard a few birds chirping and some squirrels scampering around in the fallen leaves. The air was comfortable. It was a perfect day for a walk.

            Several neighbors were out working on the leaves that had fallen in their yards. Beyond that it was so peaceful. What I mean is that it was peaceful around me and in me. I could sense the Lord’s presence as I walked. I waited to see what was on His mind. I walked quite a way and realized He hadn’t said anything. Finally, I asked, “What’s on your heart?” There was no answer, just His peaceful presence.

            I continued walking, admiring fall’s beauty in the trees, some camellias that were blooming, and some mums that were doing their best to show their colors. It seemed He was enjoying me enjoying the beauty of fall. I told Him at one point that part of the reason for the walk was to come up with something to write about in my column. I am a firm believer that God has a sense of humor. I heard a few ideas that made me laugh out loud. I sensed His pleasure in my laughter. But still no ideas for a real column surfaced. I walked on.

            There is a point in my walk when I make a final turn towards home. I reminded Him that nothing was stirring in my spirit yet. His peacefulness consumed me. I began to think about what God might be experiencing simultaneously while He was walking with me. There are people in hospitals praying and begging for a miraculous touch. There are guys fighting in battles praying they will make it home to loved ones. There are government leaders dealing with overwhelming problems. There are lost people He is trying to draw into a relationship with Himself. I will leave the rest of the list up to your imagination.

            I looked again at the beauty of fall that surrounded me. I allowed the beauty to touch my soul. With my heart open, His presence entered and offered a deeper sense of peace and His pleasure at just being with me. He was enjoying me as I was enjoying the beauty He created. He was seeing the beauty through my eyes. I didn’t want to miss a thing as I walked toward home.

            I walked up the front steps and turned to take in one final view of the beauty. There was something stirring in me that I couldn’t put into words until now. God deeply wants us to come to Him with our needs, worries, and problems. He desires to meet us and help us through whatever we face. God is very concerned about world events and how they are impacting each of our lives. God cares about every situation that each person faces no matter how big or small. God wants us to share our burdens with Him.

            As I sit here quietly I realize that God wants something from us. It’s profoundly simple. He wants us to be with Him and to enjoy His presence. We can sit on our front porch or at the beach. We can walk through our communities or drive through the country. We can sit by a fire or lay quietly in our beds. It’s not so He can point out our sins or failures, because Jesus already died to pay for all of that. It’s not so He can fix us. God loves each one of us in spite of any failures on our parts. He made us. He created us. He knows our weaknesses and understands all our quirks. He made us for fellowship and that is what He deeply relishes from each one of us.

            It seems so simple yet I believe it is profound. The God who created all the beauty that surrounds us wants to draw close to us. I want to encourage you to spend some time quietly in His presence. Try not to ask for anything. Express your love and thankfulness to Him. Consider the beauty He created. Remember His faithfulness and kindness to you. Quiet yourself. Open your heart to Him. There is nothing to fear. He loves everything about you because you are His son or daughter. Just be with Him. Let His love permeate your heart. Let His presence and peace fill and refresh you. He is your good and loving Heavenly Father.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com