It is not too often lately that I am woken up to write, but at 2 o’clock this morning there I was. Over the past few days there have been a couple of events that have impacted me in ways that have been astounding. At 9 o’clock every morning I walk the same path, and on the sidewalk I have noticed a trail of black ants going about their day doing what ants do. One day I just stood there and watched as they went from their ant hill out across the sidewalk to get something to take back to their ant hill and then go back to get something else, and so on, and so on. As I stood there they had no understanding that I was even there watching, observing. Then I realized how often in my life that is exactly what I do. I am so busy doing what I do there are times that I don’t realize how God watches over everything that I do and wants to help me and yet I am oblivious at times that He is even there. I often reflect on *Psalm 139:1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.* To me, this verse connects closely to the realization that just as the ants move through their routines unaware that someone is watching them, people often move through daily life unaware that God sees, knows, and cares about every step they take. It was powerful to be aware of God’s presence not only during major moments, but while walking ordinary paths at 9 o’clock in the morning. It is a little weird to me that watching ants became a moment of spiritual awakening. Another revelation to me happened yesterday morning. My life is more like the ants than some people may know. I help people lighten their lives of possessions they don’t want and go from my ant hill out and come back with stuff and then go and do it again. On Thursday evening I had asked my older granddaughter, Trinytee, if she would like to do a pick up with me on Friday morning to which she said “Yes” with enthusiasm. She loves the long rides in the truck listening to music and talking with me about everything, and so do I. So when I went to wake her up in the morning, she was not in her bed, or on the couch or chair in the living room, it took me a minute when I saw her in a pile of pillows and blankets on the floor close to the front door. I woke her up and asked if she camped out so I wouldn’t leave without her and she said “Of course.” She so wanted to spend time with me that she made it impossible for me to go without her. That is how I desire my relationship to be with my heavenly Father, longing to be with Him. There are a couple of verses that help me comprehend what I witnessed that morning as written in *Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.* This is the image of  one of deep longing — a soul that does not want to miss being near God, much like my granddaughter sleeping by the door so she would not miss going with me. As well as Psalm 63:1O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.* These verses capture in essence my desire of wanting to be close to my Heavenly Father before anything else begins. I guess both of my revelations tie together with what is written in *Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”* where Mary of Bethany simply wanted to remain near Jesus and listen to Him while Martha was distracted by many tasks. The heart of this story is choosing presence with God above everything else. My granddaughter’s action became a living picture of spiritual hunger: “I don’t want to be left behind; I want to go with you.” And as I sat writing this in the stillness of the night, I realized that God has been trying to slow me down long enough for me to notice that He has been walking beside me all along. In the ordinary moments of ants on a sidewalk and a little girl sleeping by a door, He revealed extraordinary truths about His love, His presence, and the longing He desires for me to have toward Him. Far too often I become consumed with the work of my hands while forgetting the One who strengthens them, guides them, and patiently waits for me to simply sit at His feet. My prayer now is that my heart would awaken each morning with the same determination as my granddaughter’s — unwilling to miss a single moment walking with my Heavenly Father. And perhaps that is why God placed those ants in my path each morning, not merely for me to see them, but for Him to see if I would finally stop long enough to notice Him. Now every time I pass that little trail of ants, I will be reminded that even in the smallest and most ordinary parts of life, God is speaking to me if I am willing to pause and listen. So my encouragement to anyone reading this is to slow down long enough to notice the fingerprints of God in the ordinary moments of your life, because sometimes the greatest revelations come in the simplest ways. Also, don’t become so busy carrying the burdens of life back and forth like the ants that you miss the gentle presence of the Father walking beside you, longing for you to simply notice Him and draw near. If you will pause for even a moment and truly seek Him, you may discover that He has been speaking to your heart far more often than you ever realized. 

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.