During the winter months, I often journal and pray in the bathroom. My bathroom is tiny, so it’s the warmest room in the house. I sit on the heater vent, put a pillow behind my back and proceed to write my thoughts and communicate with God.
I figure God knows all about our physical bodies anyway and he doesn’t care where we meet – as long as we continue the relationship.
In the movie, “Oh God,” John Denver was embarrassed when God showed up while he was taking a shower.
“What?” God said, a la George Burns. “You think I don’t know what your body looks like? I made you.”
So I figure God doesn’t care that his daughter needs to stay warm and chooses the bathroom to keep from freezing even while her heart forms words of praise.
It seems a strange place to set up sanctuary, but then again – I’m close to the Kleenex if I cry and the cat also likes spending time with me in private places.
One of my friends, however, chooses a different way to worship – on the broad plains of Kansas or tucked into a booth at a unique coffee shop. Jane Tucker writes on her blog about wonderful Midwest locations as she revels in the expanse her camera sees, the grasses of the Flint Hills and the sun-colored flatlands of her homeland Iowa. Her blog’s tag line “Postcards from the Heartland” aptly describes the homey feel of her verbiage and the joy of finding the divine within natural wonders.
Her worship is just as genuine as mine, although hers is a wide and colorful expanse while mine is in a tiny room.
I have a feeling God loves spending time with his children and he doesn’t really care how we worship. Whether we dance with colorful scarves, sing off-key in the shower or sway to the harmonies of an old hymn – the important point is that we take time to meet with our maker.
The poet King David described places of worship, “From the ends of the earth” or “Within the sanctuary” or “With all that is within me.”
Places and people vary yet the creativity of methods to thank God for his many blessings helps us treasure relationship with him.
So wherever we are and however we choose, let’s find our sanctuary and plant hope by spending time with God.
Among my followers, I’m wondering where and how you worship? Do any of you find joy in a tiny room? Or is your worship best expressed within the confines of the traditional church building? Does a particular location stir you to praise the God who created you?
©2016 RJ Thesman – Author of the Reverend G books http://amzn.to/1rXlCyh
You have no idea what an encouragement this post is to me, Rebecca! In the midst of discouragement and battle, to be thought of so fondly is a gift from God. You will rejoice, I know, that I immediately wanted to spend time in worship of the One who made us sisters in Christ.
And your posts always encourage me, Jane, and remind me to find those places where I can best worship. Blessings to you!
God is so good. Since we carry God with us wherever we go (if we’re His temple) we can worship God wherever we are.
So true! Emanuel – God with us – so worship opportunities are everywhere.
Nothing beats early mornings. For me – whether indoors or outdoors. And music. At some point, whether early on, in the midst of, or near the ‘winding down of devotional times, music shows up.
I agree, Jerry. Music is always a part of my devotional time.