In the Presence of God

It was a mid-January night in Michigan. The wind was howling outside shaking the house and whistling through a few gaps in window moldings; it wasn't snowing but very easily could. The kids were sleeping in their beds; I had locked all the doors, and turned off all the lights but for the small night light in the bathroom down the hall.

As I crawled into bed under a pile of blankets I shivered from head to toe and my mind went to all the problems in my life. Children, money, the house needed repairs, my fiancé was not the Christian I believed him to be were only a few of the concerns that filled my head.

While I snuggled down into bed I thought to myself, "I know I should get out of bed, on my knees and say my prayers but I'm just too tired. I'll say them in the morning." My brief prayer as I closed my eyes was, "God you know how tired I am please just let me sleep tonight."

Before I could say "amen" a change came over the room. My eyes were still closed but I could feel warmth in the room that shouldn't have been there, after all, I always kept the thermostat set on 65 or below to save money. This was like a hot summer day. At the same time the room became bright like I had never seen it. Even with my eyes closed I could see the brightness through my closed lids. Like when you're lying out in the sun and even with your eyes closed you can see the bright sun.

A part of me wanted to open my eyes and see what or who was creating this warmth and brightness on this dark freezing night but I was afraid. Not afraid of what I might see but afraid it or He would go away if I opened my eyes. I laid there for several minutes debating with myself. The only way I could explain this glorious warmth and light was God. I just knew in my heart that God was in my bedroom at that moment and I didn't want Him to leave. I was comforted by the warm glow so much that I didn't open my eyes.

I woke the next morning having slept all night long for the first time in months. Before I opened my eyes I tried to determine if the "presence" was still there. But alas the morning sunshine was streaming in the windows, I could hear the furnace running, and my youngest son popped his head in the door requesting pancakes for breakfast.

When I was finally forced to open my eyes I found nothing at all any different in my bedroom. Except for me! I had slept the best I could ever remember sleeping and felt honored and awed that God had provided for my greatest need, rest and comfort.

Over the years that have passed since that night there have been many times that I've gone to bed remembering that night and praying it would happen again, that I could once again feel that warmth and brightness and sleep as I had that night. But it has never happened again and may never but I will always have the memory of the night I truly felt I was in the physical presence of God and His comfort.