Searching for God

In my lifetime quest For peace and happiness,

I looked for the God of creation Seeking my eternal salvation.
I sought God everywhere Vainly searching in despair,

In no place could I find This Savior to call mine.
I read the worlds religions

Trying to see a vision Of where God might be

But the Lord escapes me.
I've searched for God in mind But He eludes me every time,

My thoughts cannot make clear Why the creator is not here.

I sought God from preachers, And world famous teachers,

I sought from priest and rabbi, But God's grace passes me by.

I studied the Bible and other books And pilgrim journeys I took,

Searching for God in every place But in none did I see his face.

I searched holy places and shrines

Looking for divinity signs But each time I feel God is near

His presence disappears.

In desperation I fell to my knees

Crying, "why have you forsaken me?"

I've searched for you again and again!

I hear a gentle voice whisper----

" You did not invite me in"

The Yeah Day

I was having a day, a day when I found myself slipping back into the pit of destructive thinking patterns. I knew what was happening and I almost enjoyed the anticipation of a pity party. It sounds crazy I know, but if we are honest with ourselves, there are times when the pit is a comfortable place to be. We are familiar with the surroundings. We know what to expect. We know what not to expect. And frankly speaking, it is easier to invite support in the pit than it is to get out. Can anyone agree?

After trying, unsuccessfully, to get someone to join my pity party, I decided to check my email. I read and responded to many emails. In one email, I shared some good news with a friend of mine named cindy, about a situation I had been praying about. Her response came back as I was sitting at the computer. The response was simply, "YEAH!!" In email world, a word typed in all caps followed by exclamation marks, indicates that the sender is shouting or at very least talking loud. The word popped out at me. I thought wow, I needed that. I responded with a thank you. Her return response said, "That's what friends are for."

Isn't it wonderful that Jesus reveals His love for us through others? He invites us to be a part of His plan to encourage and help His children. I call people who do this, "Jesus with skin."
In our world today it has become far too easy to become self-absorbed. Our lives move so fast that we can't see the needs others have, much less take the time to lend a word of encouragement. Encouraging others does not have a money cost. My friend did not have to spend a dime to make me feel encouraged. What she did took very little time out of her busy day. God took her words to help me change my focus and redirect my thoughts.
Today or perhaps tomorrow someone might need some encouragement. It will only take a few minutes of your time. God will invite you to help Him encourage one of His own. From one who received a gift of encouragement, accept His invitation.
Yes Lord,
You are at work all the time. Especially with me, Help me to see You at work. I want to say yes to You and make a difference in someone's life today. Lend that shoulder, give the yeah answer or a answer of incouragement, remind them as I remind myself how much god loves us, find the time to spend with you and in the word like you find time time for me. Love you Lord