In My Father's Lap

"Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me." - John 15:4 (Amplified Bible)

       Sometimes it's good to just be...like when you sit with someone and enjoy each other's company. You don't say anything, don't expect anything - don't try to understand, quantify, or label anything. You just exist together. 
      
       Have you ever known someone so well and had such a deep bond with that person - to the point in which you could communicate without saying a word? Sometimes words are not necessary in order to have fellowship. Sometimes, in fact, you attain a much deeper level of fellowship with someone in the silence.


       When I was in elementary and middle school, I had a best friend. I'm not talking about someone who was my best friend one week and an enemy the next. I mean, we were bosom buddies. We did everything together and we tried our best not to let one day pass without at least talking to each other. During school, we spent every recess together and during the summer, we picked blackberries together and fished crawdads out of the creek.
      
       One of the things that we liked to do when we were apart was to call each other on the phone...and not say a word. One of us would call the other and we would both turn on our televisions to the same channel and we would watch tv "together". Even though we could not physically be together, the connection over the phone was all we needed. Yes, we did chat about things sometimes, but I remember the comfort and comraderie we experienced in the quiet, too. It was never an awkward silence.


       What would happen if we tried that with God? It would put a whole new meaning on the word 'communion'. Here's a thought that could very well revolutionize the way people view prayer: What if we actually treat God as if He were our best friend? God deserves utmost reverence and respect, but He also wants fellowship with us. That is the reason He created us - to love Him! That is the whole reason He sent His only Son to die and pay the penalty for our sin - so that we would no longer be cut off from Him! The whole time we allow that sharing connection with the Father, we are communicating with Him. Prayer is merely another word for communication.


       He desires that deep and abiding connection with Him - one so deep that you can communicate without eloquent words, harmonious music, or stirring proclamations... a relationship so deep that when the music fades and there are no words, He simply is 'I AM' and you simply are His precious jewel. Just sit in the Father's lap and pray without ceasing - even in the silence.