Jenna is sitting here rubbing my head as I write tonight. Tara laying beside me sleeping. Micalyn and Esther are off at church activities. Andrean in the next room recovering from a cold. Lewis lying on the floor by my feet, petting the dog. This seems to sum up the average night here at the Maier home. It is beautiful. A month ago it seemed like a wasted evening that we could have been doing something productive.
I am realizing the impact of ‘presence’, simply being with my family. Not necessarily playing games, talking about something important, meeting their physical needs, training or other things like that, although those are great. Its just being together. It fulfills a critical need in our relationships.
The same is true in our relationship with God. Tara and I are most moved simply by his presence. Sure, we want him to answer our prayers. But being near him is what sustains our souls. Sometimes this involves a conversation with him, by reading his words; like reading the old love letters that Tara keeps in a box, reminding me of love and faithfulness. And by talking to him; like unloading our thoughts on each other at the end of a long day. The sweetness of this love relationship with God is intimate and sustains us. It gives us something to be excited about; like when we were first in love. It is our waking thought and most beautiful dream.
But the busyness of life causes us to lose focus and we often don’t get enough time like this, with each other or God. This defining moment in our life has helped us to do better. But as time wears on it will be a challenge again.
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
Jay and Tara,
You don’t know me, but I am rapidly begining to know the deeper you. I pray with Nan weekly. My consistant prayer for you is for miraculous healing secondary only to God’s will. Thank you so much for your posts. As each comes and I join you again in prayer for your family, I learn new lessons of faith or at the very least relearn those lessons learned in the past. May God carry you as you walk this valley in your journey, and may your words continue to be used in sharing Him with those gathered around you.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 A few of us had the opportunity to do that today when we visited your folks, Tara. We hugged, we talked, we cried, we prayed together and we laughed! It was good just to be together. Am sending hugs to you via your mom.
Reading your blog continues to be a top priority of my day and the messages almost always tie in perfectly with the messages in whatever devotional books I use on any given morning. I love how God does that! He is working so powerfully through you both. To Him be all Praise and Glory. God’s blessings to you and your whole family.
Tonight I can relate to a lack of presence. I just wanted to come home and be still with God. Instead I taught piano lessons, played for women’s Bible study and went to small group. I enjoyed all of it, but have found myself increasingly weary lately. I think the problem is not enough “presence”. I intend to correct that, at least at much as possible. I so enjoy your encouraging notes on your lives. As I pray with you daily in agreement for God’s healing touch, I thank Him for the faith He has given us to see that this life is only temporal. Our study tonight ended with the thoughts of our heavenly home, where we won’t be strangers or aliens. We will be citizens who are finally in our real home, at home with the lover of our souls. God bless you and give you all a good night’s rest.
It is a gift to learn to be in the present moment when there is so much going on around our lives. It is a blessing. I am grateful you are open to that blessing. A mutual friend told me about your unfolding story of hope. You all are in my prayers. I am hoping to be in contact with you personally in the near future since we might have similar cancers. Blessings to you all. -mm
This brings to mind what I’ve been thinking about a lot lately as well. I’m “busy” preparing for Luis’s brother and family who we all dearly love. Making a natural deadline, right after the first of the year I “decided” with urgency that the unfinished basement should be finished by this visit (tomorrow they arrive). Eight years of storage needing to be contended with, decisions made (construction!) and frankly these final push days have been overwhelming simply because I’ve made it that way. It’s a prime example of non eternal things taking over. The beauty of walking with The Lord over time though is that you know and have learned what’s missing and what to do about it. You’ll never forget now how valuable these times are just “being” (human beings, not human doings) together. And you’ll always find your way to this center. You’re all experiencing just what is at your core. Jesus. His peace that transcends all understanding. “You are my strength when I am weak, you are the treasure that I seek, you are my all in all.” Tara, praying as you go thru this second round…you are constantly in my thoughts and in our prayers.
I was reading in Matthew 9:18-26…about Jesus healing the bleeding woman and restoring the girl to life! I wanted to pass that along to you. It brings God’s hope, peace, healing and power. And that NOTHING is impossible with GOD!!! Praise God! Praying for you and God’s will to be done!
“Show Me Your Glory” – Third Day
I caught a glimpse of Your splendor
In the corner of my eye
The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen
And it was like a flash of lightning
Reflected off the sky
And I know I’ll never be the same
Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
I can’t go on without You, Lord
When I climb down the mountain
And get back to my life
I won’t settle for ordinary things
I’m gonna follow You forever
And for all of my days
I won’t rest ’til I see You again
Show me Your glory
Show me Your glory
I can’t live without You
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/third_day/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQj5pPHABbc