Meeting God on the Front Porch
"Pick up the shell,” God whispered.
On certain mornings when my children are entertained with blocks or books, I grab my Bible and spend my porch time in prayer. I like to enjoy the morning sunlight and caffeine simultaneously.
This morning I was feeling extra low. I didn’t sleep well and woke up with a lot on my mind.
“God, I give this day to you. I need your help in all things today. Help me mother with a sound mind, do what you’ve called me to do, and listen to your voice today. I praise you for who you are- holy, righteous, mighty, and faithful…” A few tears fell as I pondered the Father’s faithfulness.
I waited on God to speak. I waited on that still small voice-lingering in his presence, and desiring to be with Him a few moments longer.
After I said “Amen,” my middle boy swung open the front door. He came to the porch looking for mom.
My mind snapped back into “mom mode.” My boy bent down and began looking at the gulf coast shells we collected the day before. I could feel my heart turn from worship to wonder. One moment I was worshiping my Creator, the next I was in awe of His creation- the shells soaking in a beach bucket on our sandy front porch.
Oh, could we steal away to the sea for a few hours today? White, powdery sand between my toes— a feeling like no other. Waves crashing— the sound that calms my entire being. Hot sun and salt air—I am alive.
I turned toward my son, longing to connect with him over our beach treasures. His little hand dipping into the bucket of water, shaking out the sand, and carefully laying out the shells one by one on our sun baked porch.
“Pick up the shell,” God whispered.
I picked up my favorite shell—the fighting conch. We happened to collect six of them after a thunderstorm. The strong current washed them up to shore for moms and middle boys to find with great delight.
“What do you want to tell me, Lord?”
My eyes were still teary from prayer.
I had a few ideas of what He would teach me regarding the fighting conch, my beach treasure, the broken yet beautiful shell.
After a moment of silence, He simply said, “I made them.”
Fresh tears fell.
“I made the shells you love. I love shells, too,” He gently whispered.
I could feel His heart turn toward mine, longing to connect with me. God was speaking to me in ”dad mode," as I was speaking to my son in "mom mode.”
There was no life lesson from the fighting conch shell on that hot and humid Tuesday morning. There was simply a beautiful heart connection.
Friend, God longs to connect with our hearts. He longs to speak to us. He longs to linger with us on sunny, sandy porches as we go about our morning. He longs to connect with us as we bathe in sunlight and fresh tears fall. He created us to flow and move with His heart—our Father’s heart.
You see, in my prayer, I was asking for help with all the things I had to do on a Tuesday morning. But here’s what I didn’t get: I didn’t get a surge of energy, an hour of uninterrupted time to do what I needed to do, an inspiring word, or a Bible verse to get me to bedtime. What I received that morning was a beautiful gift of connection with the Father's heart.
Seen—a feeling like no other. His voice—a sound that calms my entire being. Fully known and loved by my Father—I am alive.
Yes, God the Father showed up on my front porch.
Time and time again, when I am in need of strength, help, or answers- He simply connects with me, reveals who He is, and reminds me what He’s already done. He shows me the shells He’s made.
He is so good. Open your heart to Him. Ask, seek, knock. The door will be opened. And yes, He will meet you on the front porch.
Spend a few minutes in prayer and praise right now. Ask God the Father to reveal Himself to you through His word and His Spirit. He will do it, friends. Yes and Amen.
With Love,
Audra
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Oh how I love those moments!! Moments that carry you on forward for hours of the day!! Father GOD moments that always come right on time!!💕
Beautiful!