Hello ,

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18

"Please don't leave me."  

It was 2009, and my father was in a hospital bed that we had set up in my parent's living room. He was in the last few days of his life, and my sister and I were caring for him around the clock. 

She would take care of him throughout the day, and I would sit up with him during the night time hours. I situated myself next to his bedside and held his hand while he rested. 

I began to doze, and decided to make my way a few feet to the couch where I could recline and rest my eyes. I heard his feeble voice call out to me, "Please don't leave me." 

I have to admit that hearing his faltering voice say those words made the tears begin to fall and spill down my cheeks. My dad was giving voice to the heart-cry of the human spirit that so many of us experience. 

God has promised "nearness" to anyone who will call upon Him, and we can take that promise to heart.

What can you do to help someone else feel God's nearness today?

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word