As she sat alone in her room, she felt a gentle breeze whisper through the window. Suddenly, she sensed a familiar warmth beside her. It was as if He was there, His loving presence enveloping her like a soft blanket. She felt His gentle hand on her shoulder, His comforting smile, and His soothing voice whispering, “I’m here,” in her ear. Tears of joy and longing streamed down her face as the ache of His absence eased. She knew He may not have been physically present, but His love and spirit were always with her. As she breathed deeply, His presence grew stronger, filling the room with an overwhelming sense of peace and comfort. She knew she was never truly alone, for He was always there in her heart.
This short anecdote reflects my deep emotions about my encounter with God during my one-year preparation for the final commitment. The presence of God and His unconditional love overpowered the feeling of absence of those who care for me. I was deeply touched by the presence of the Lord and found my treasure in Him. His presence overtook me, and I treasured it within my heart.
The Presence of God as Treasure
One can never hold or constrain the presence of God. However, His presence is like a treasure hidden in a vessel. The world and everyone in it are like vessels carrying the precious presence of God in our lives. Though weak and fragile, we are chosen by God to be His dwelling place. This awareness of God’s presence in and around us can make our lives—and everyone’s lives—happy and beautiful. The knowledge that God has chosen to dwell in us, despite our human fragility, is an incredibly humbling and empowering truth.
The presence of God is something like being in a garden. When one enters, the fragrance of the flowers is unavoidable. The same is true of God’s presence: it cannot be fully comprehended but can only be felt and experienced deeply. His presence is sometimes subtle, like a breeze that refreshes, and at other times overwhelming, like the sun that illuminates everything. But when His presence is with us, the unknown becomes known, and ordinary people can do extraordinary things. This is evident in the lives of Abraham, the prophets and all right through to the Apostles, who had personal encounters with the Lord, who did incredible things, and experienced His presence most intimately. The effect of God’s presence transforms not only their lives but the entire course of human history.
Sr. Merly DPMT
To read the entire article, click Subscribe
