Where the Good Is

May 8

Retreat to a quiet place where you can be alone and undisturbed. Perhaps find a place outside or near a window to see the sky and maybe a tree or other beauty God has made.

Empty your hands. Roll your shoulders a few times, up and back. Stretch your neck, arms, wrists, legs, and ankles. Then close your eyes and breathe deeply and evenly, doing nothing else but relaxing in God’s presence for at least two minutes.

If you’d like — and it helps you focus — play some soft, instrumental music in the background. Continue to relax, giving God every thought and emotion you have.

Lord, thank you that you are here. Here I am. I consecrate to you my mind, giving you every thought. I consecrate to you my heart, giving you my emotions now.

I surrender to you my worries about…

I surrender to you my questions about…

I surrender to you my doubts about…

Lord, what are your thoughts? How are you? What do you want me to know that I do not know?

Get out your journal and openly write out your conversation with God. Tell Him what is on your heart. And then, listen expectantly for His response.

Lord, I am feeling…

I hear you say….

Continue conversing with God. Below is an invitation I felt He offered to us to encounter Him.

“Get out a set of watercolors. :) Or, look out at the wonders I have made. Look with your eyes and with your heart. Let your mind and heart be in sync.”

I am looking, Lord….

Make my mind and heart be in sync….

“Rejoice in what is good! Give thanks for who I am! I am a God of generosity. I forgive. My heart is full to receive you. Look at the life I’ve given you. Breathe and receive it. Receive life. Appreciate life in all its components. It is so much greater than you think or dream. Close your eyes and imagine life. Let me be your eyes as you imagine–and see–in the deep place of your heart with me.

Help me imagine, Father…

“First, consider what good you take in here on earth. What is beautiful? Where is beauty? Look around and look within, in the deep place where we go together.”

Jesus, here is the good I experience because of You…

This is what is beautiful…

Here is where beauty exists…

Help me to see more deeply. Help me to see what You see.

“Next, close your eyes and journey with Me. Let Me show you life — renewal and hope for what is deeper than what is on the surface. Where you feel pain, I am here. Where you feel worry, I am here. I am here where you feel regret, shame, disappointment, and despair. Open the eyes of your heart with Me. Breathe deeply and easily now. Life comes from Me. Stay here. Remain in Me.”

Father/Jesus/Holy Spirit, open the eyes of my heart; my soul is consumed with longing (Psalm 119: 17-20)...

Now, consider the following verses in these various Psalms:

Psalm 1147: 7-11

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
    make music to our God on the harp.
He covers the sky with clouds;
    he supplies the earth with rain
    and makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle
    and for the young ravens when they call.
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

Psalm 75:1

We praise you, God,
we praise you, for your Name is near;
people tell of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
  come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
  and his courts with praise;
  give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
  his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 30:11-12

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Using the Psalms as inspiration, write a Psalm of gratitude, giving God thanks for what He
has done and naming the good you know He will do.

Amen.