While harvesting larkspur seeds with me, a dear friend asked me, How do you abide with God?” I was initially startled with the question, but then at ease and quite forthcoming with my answer.

I replied, “I recognize and claim His presence all day in the little and big things. Like right now, the birds are fussing at us for spending too long under their nesting tree. That’s God’s plan. Each of these tiny larkspur seeds has a calendar inside of them which lets them know which season, which month, and which week in which to sprout. That’s God’s creation. You and I are having an authentic soul-to-soul conversation. That’s God’s initiative. On each occasion, if I stop my thoughts and name His presence, I’m abiding with Him.

There’s an old hymn written in the early 1800s that comes to mind, “Abide with Me.” By the way, that recollection in itself is a God moment to claim and name.! How amazing is it that we are singing today words that a singer-songwriter wrote out of his own journey two centuries ago? This poet enumerates several scenarios in which God’s consistency was validated in his own life. He then ends each verse with a prayer stating each specific situation and then punctuates his claims with the request, Abide with me!”

“When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, help of the helpless, O abide with me!

Change and decay in all around I see: O though who changes not, abide with me!

Who like thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

Who like thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee: in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!”

How do you abide with God?