I’m not sure what kind of a start your February is off to. But I do know that we have a sure promise in the Bible that God is present.

I love when I highlight a verse in my daily chronological bible reading, and then later in the day that same verse comes up again – whether on social media, in conversation, in a book or devotional. It drives home the timeliness of that verse.

This happened last Friday, in Exodus 33:14: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

I highlighted it in my Bible, and then I went on to my two devotionals – Savor and Edges of His Ways. I sat for a moment, in awe of the Father. This same verse was part of Amy Carmichael’s encouragement for the day.

I grabbed my journal and copied the verse, and I have carried it close to my heart since. In the daily grind, in scraping ice off the car, in the big stuff and the small, in the heartaches and headaches… He has promised that His personal presence will go with me, and that He will give me the gift of rest.

Am I ready and willing to receive them?

I’m quick to forget that I don’t have to earn His Presence, or work for rest. I just have to enter in. (Thank you, Jesus, for making a way!)

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to take my oldest daughter with some friends from church to see “Little Women”. I’ve never seen any of the other versions of the movie, nor have I ever read the book. Reading was not a passion of mine as a child, so I missed out on a lot of classics. But I loved the movie, and since my 12 year old has read the book, I thought I would give it a try. Needless to say, I’m really enjoying it. My favorite part (so far) is the exchange between Marmee and Jo about “a better friend” – the Heavenly Father. The Source of our comfort and strength, the One we can draw near to.

His Presence changes the room, shifts our perspective, and transforms our hearts.

I wrote a few years ago about God’s wrap-around Presence, and I’ll often wrap myself up in a blanket as a reminder that His Presence is all around me.

I pray that you are reminded today of this promise of Presence.

In the wispy clouds, in the discouraging disagreements, in the unexpected trouble, in the chaos called life, in fulfilling our calling and in sharing the Good News… Jesus promised He would be with us.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20