Absence That Creates Presence

It is good to visit people who are sick, dying, shut in, handicapped, or lonely. But it is also important not to feel guilty when our visits have to be short or can only happen occasionally. Often we are so apologetic about our limitations that our apologies prevent us from really being with the other when we are there. A short time fully present to a sick person is much better than a long time with many explanations of why we are too busy to come more often.

If we are able to be fully present to our friends when we are with them, our absence too will bear many fruits. Our friends will say: "He visited me" or "She visited me," and discover in our absence the lasting grace of our presence.
-- Henri Nouwen

³⁴“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. ³⁶I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
³⁷“Then the people who have God’s approval will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes or see you in need of clothes and give you something to wear? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
⁴⁰“The king will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did for me.’
⁴¹“Then the king will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me! God has cursed you! Go into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels! ⁴²I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. ⁴³I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me into your homes. I needed clothes, and you didn’t give me anything to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t take care of me.’
⁴⁴“They, too, will ask, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger or in need of clothes or sick or in prison and didn’t help you?’
⁴⁵“He will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you failed to do for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do for me.’
⁴⁶“These people will go away into eternal punishment, but those with God’s approval will go into eternal life.”
-- Matthew 25:34-46 (GWT)

Seeking God's Approval.
Grateful

The Gifts of Presence and Absence

When we claim for ourselves that we come to our friends in the Name of Jesus - that through us Jesus becomes present to them - we can trust that our leaving will also bring them the Spirit of Jesus. Thus, not only our presence but also our absence becomes a gift to others. -- Henri Nouwen

(5) “Now I’m going to the One Who sent Me. Yet, none of you asks Me where I’m going. (6) But because I’ve told you this, you’re filled with sadness. (7) However, I am telling you the truth: It’s good for you that I’m going away. If I don’t go away, the Helper won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you."
-- Words of Jesus to His Disciples in John 16:5-7 (GWT)

Lord, let us not attempt to become so essential, so necessary in the lives of our family and friends, that they see no need for our leaving which allows The Spirit of Jesus to become more essential and more necessary in their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God's Favor & Unity!
Grateful

Twin Ministers: Presence & Absence

I've come to know that there are twins that minister in my life more than anything else. The twins are named Presence and Absence.

In John 16:7, the Lord told His disciples (and I paraphrase): I know you think having me visibly present in a good thing, but when I leave you visibly, things will go from good to great for you. Yes, in My absence, the ministry of My presence will go from "with you" to "within you". Yes, My Spirit will be "with you" and "within you" to constantly remind you of everything I told you when I was visibly present.

I don't pretend to be able to communicate in written form this awe-inspiring reality in my life as I am always being ministered to by the twin ministers -- Presence and Absence. However, let me just illustrate it like this:

When my godly Granny Margery was visibly present in my life, she allowed the Holy Spirit to minister the Life of Jesus through her, to me. It was an indescribable influence for her grandson. And since she has been noticeably absent from the body (*and without doubt is now present with her Lord) The Holy Spirit continues to undeniably minister the Life of Jesus to me in the unforgettable afterglow of Granny's life.

I'm pretty sure the best way to dumb down the delight in my soul is just to say: The longevity of holy lives lived for the glory of the Lord is the greatest of convincers on children and grandchildren, yes, when they are visibly present, but even more so when they are noticeably absent.

Future generations should, and must, be taught about the Lord, but let us never forget that being taught about the Lord is, at best, a weak substitute when compared with the impact of future generations being caught by the Lord in the afterglow of a loved one who has lived over the long haul for the glory of God!

* 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV) -- We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful