In God's Presence

As my parents age, they are becoming more and more dependent on my help. I do what I can, but it is not easy since I work and have responsibilities in my own immediate family as well. Because life has become such a struggle for Mum and Dad, our every visit or phone conversation has become focused on the next list of requests they have for me. Sometimes I feel I have become merely a facilitator of all their needs. I’m happy to help as much as I can, but I miss just chatting and laughing and doing things together the way we used to.

This may be how God feels when I pray only when I have a list of requests. I know that he cares about my needs, and I often mention them in prayer. But I very seldom pray just to worship and be near him. I regret looking to God merely as a facilitator of requests. More and more I am realising that he wants more than my requests; he wants my heart.