This week, in addition to my usual physical limitations, my husband is across the country in California and a stomach virus came to town. I have pretty much spent the past couple days barfing, cleaning, washing barfed-on stuff or being barfed on, respectfully.

Last night, I put my kids to bed and was ready to sleep myself, only to find sheets and blankets in a pile on my bed where I threw them earlier. Flat out exhausted and in no mood to make a bed, I grabbed my son’s sleeping bag.

Zipping myself inside the sleeping bag, instantly I was transported to another time. It was summer camp and I was maybe nine or ten years old. I was lying in the top bunk zipped in another sleeping bag, probably pink or purple, hearing hundreds of crickets and thinking about the chapel service. I loved all the fun we had at camp, but I really loved learning about Jesus!

In that moment, lying on my unmade bed in a nine-year old’s sleeping bag, I was very much aware of the presence of God around me.

I know that God is always with me, but the memory reminded me of his constant presence. He was with me when I was a kid at camp and He’s with me now as I muddle through parenting, marriage, pain and disease. All of those things can be extremely distracting to my sense of awareness to His presence. Isn’t it just like God to use a simple, sweet, little memory as a reminder!

What completely boggles my mind, about that moment, is that I hadn’t even prayed or anything. God just knew I needed Him. I am reminded of Psalm 139:1-5

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.

Each step I take is because of His Grace. Step with me!