08/24/2026
Do you have a special place or way you meet the Lord?
I remember the first time the Lord invited me out to my deck to talk to Him. It scared me. I could feel the invitation in my heart and hear His instructions. Yet, I was hesitant to open the door and accept it.
I was saved. I went to church. But my view of the Lord was that of a savior and authority figure. Not as a friend or Father.
I was afraid I would say or do something wrong. I also felt so vulnerable to be alone with God. Was I in trouble?
I went onto the deck afraid of what God might say and eventually reached a place where I couldn't wait to hear from Him.
As it turns out, those were my favorite times. On my deck, I got to know the Lord differently. Those nightly meetings showed me a deeper, stronger, and more personal connection with Him.
God showed me things in the silence and stillness of the night. He answered questions I had carried for years. I did a lot of crying on my deck with the Lord. And I knew God understood each tear.
God gave me the invitation, but it was up to me to accept it.
I was busy. Sometimes that meant leaving dirty dishes in the sink and laundry undone. I had to step away from my kids, my husband, and my phone. Nothing went on the deck with me.
We make time for what we treasure. I didn't suddenly have more time. I decided that time with God was worth leaving something else undone.
When I made the time and my heart desired to talk with the Lord, He met me there. I shared everything with Him. Our meetings weren’t formal. I talked to Him like I would my best friend. I told Him about Zippy and the deepest desires of my heart. I begged Him to save my husband. And He showed me the purpose of my scars.
Before I opened the door and went outside, I told my kids I was going to talk to God, and I asked them not to bother me. Sometimes they would open the door and ask me if I was still talking to God. Or tell me they needed me when I finished talking to God.
Without realizing it, I was showing my children how to have their own relationship with God one day. That God wasn't someone we only talked about at church. He was someone their mom actually talked to all the time.
Having a relationship with God takes time. Relationships are built through presence. I couldn't expect to know God's heart deeply if I never slowed down long enough to sit with Him. I learned that it doesn't just happen at church or on Sunday mornings. It’s a daily conversation. And it comes from our hearts.
The first few times, I went out of obligation. But after I got connected with God and saw the beauty of sitting with Him and talking to Him, I continued out of gratitude and appreciation. It made me feel so loved to know that God, in all of His power and glory, wanted to visit with me.
It’s been many years since I started spending time with the Lord, and it’s still my favorite time. I crave it and love it so much.
Jeremiah 29:13 KJV
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Sweet friend, when God invites you to spend time with Him, go. Leave something undone if you have to. Put down the phone.
Find somewhere quiet.
Tell Him what's hurting. Tell Him what you're dreaming about. Ask your questions. Cry if you need to. And then become still enough to listen.
You don't need perfect words. You don't need a formal prayer. You just need a heart that wants Him.
Your special place doesn't have to be a deck.
It might be your kitchen table before everyone wakes up.
Your car before work.
A chair beside a window.
A walking trail.
Your bedroom after everyone goes to sleep.
The place isn't what makes it special. His presence does. Just find somewhere to meet with God—and keep showing up.
Because somewhere along the way, you may discover what I did:
I went there to talk to God, but in the process, I got to know Him.
