Future gathering ideas will include friends, family, neighbors, etc., but since the quality our time with others is directly impacted by the time spent with our heavenly Father, I can’t imagine a better place to begin this journey than with God as our ever-present guest.

With a plethora of posts on ways to make the most of our quiet time with the Lord at our disposal, I’ve chosen to keep this gathering focused on the simplicity of our time with Him. 

First, let’s consider how we feel when in the company of someone we love. 

• Are words always necessary?

• Is there a sense of ease?

• Do we slip on our happy mask or bask in the freedom to be who we really are? 

• Do we dominate the conversation or is there pleasure in listening to him/her? 

• Does it feel more like a ritual/duty or pure delight to be in their company? 

Before the cup is poured, consider: Do the above questions reflect how we feel in the presence of our Maker? If not, perhaps we have a skewed view of God. Yes, He is to be revered, but that doesn’t negate the fact that he describes Himself as our heavenly Father – and is there a more tender relationship than that of a child and parent? 

With this in mind, let’s find a comfy seat for ourselves and pull up an empty chair, representing our ever-present Father.

As we sip our choice o’ beverage, let’s keep Psalm 46:10 before us: Be still and know that I am God.

[Stillness is an intentional act that many of us have to initially “force” ourselves to do. It doesn’t come natural to our flesh but in stillness, our souls soar.]

He desires to be known. The God of the universe who set this world spinning desires for me (and you) to know Him personally. I can’t wrap my head around this truth, but I fully embrace it with every drop of gratitude possible.

[The Hebrew verb know in this verse means something much more intimate than the word used in everyday language. It’s means to experience at the deepest level. It’s knowing more than mere facts. It’s experiential knowledge at its best.]

With cup in hand and the empty chair before us, be reminded just how very near our heavenly Father is in the midst of our ordinary days. Exhale, for it’s usually here I forget to breath. How to take in such awe-inspiring truth? 

Linger a little longer and simply close in prayer, preferably aloud.

Oh, the beauty of this gathering of two.