My Ever-Present Companion
Of all the religions man has created for his worship-cravings over the centuries, none boasts a god acting as intimate Companion to those who follow. Man-made gods, even those of other major world religions, prove themselves impotent and powerless, if not exacting and vengeful. Certainly none has shown himself an ever-present help in trouble. None dwells within, whispering His love and dancing with Father-joy over our faltering desire to please Him.
When we got home from our interrupted vacation last summer, I found myself unable to sleep in our bed due to piercing pain. Then, I discovered with the correct placement of pillows, the warmth of a heating pad pressed against my back, a sleeping medication coursing through my system, and if I could manage to withhold a single muscle movement…I could at last sleep for a couple of hours on the very firm cushions in our very narrow window seat downstairs. It was a major victory. My nighttime routine established itself with the every-two-hour need to rise and walk a bit before resuming the perfect painless position.
One morning I awoke, got my coffee and went to the couch, my habitual location for reading my Bible in the mornings. It was August, and I have in recent years read through the Psalms every summer until my Bible study class resumes in the fall. That morning I opened to the marked location and read these words: “Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways" (Psalm 139:2-3).
I was truly stunned that morning with the very personal realization that my Father God, who is ever with me, had just been with me as I warily elevated my torso on the window cushions upon waking. He had been with me as I shuffled on the path to the coffeepot, and was still with me as I slowly lowered myself to the couch cushions. I had been feeling lonely sleeping by myself in the living room while my husband was comfortably sleeping in our bed, not waking every two hours as I was. But these Words of His reminded me God had never left.
What a personal Friend is our Companion! It makes me love Him more when I experience these moments of understanding, sweet moments that add up over the years producing greater faith. And though I long for a real felt presence and wish I could see Him face to face, until that Day, remembering by faith who He is remains enough.