“Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place…” are the words sung by the Spirit Choir at the beginning of our Sunday services. Before there was a Spirit Choir, pre-covid, before two oral surgeries, I frequently sang that opening song myself. I am not a singer, but I considered the experience to be more of a prayer of affirmation than a song. Before I had the confidence to sing it publicly, I practiced singing it to myself. I found myself singing it frequently as my dog Mabel and I walked in the woods of Lily Dale. What I came to understand on those walks was that “this place” wasn’t restricted to a church building; it could be expanded to the nature of the woods, and if the woods why not expand it to the whole state, the country, the world, the universe. That God is present everywhere; no place is too big.
I also realized that if “this place” could be expanded it could also be contracted. The “place” could be a situation or a person one was dealing with. It could be reduced to fit within a mind, a heart, a soul. Nothing is too small to receive God’s attention. I still sing that song at the beginning of my daily prayers. It serves as an affirmation to me that God is always present; no matter how big or how small the situation before me. “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place….” Peace, Roy Montgomery
1 Comment
Chrissie
3/24/2024 08:04:17 pm
Thank you Roy , this is beautiful and I will be sure emmy sees it . You are the perfect choice to fill the space
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Roy Montgomery
Lifetime member COLS Wildflower Editor Previous Messages
May 2024
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