Experiencing God’s Presence in Our Work

Linsey Wildey

Psalm 139 Adapted by Linsey Wildey

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I’m watching Sesame Street and you know when I rise three to four times a night. I’m never out of your sight.

You discern what I do during nap times, when I visit parks, my juggling of work and kids—you are familiar with all my ways.

Before I discipline, correct, or speak words of love to my child you, LORD, know it completely before I start the first sentence.

When I am in the kitchen making breakfast you are there.

At the end of the day, exhausted, picking up toys and making lunches for the next day, you are there too. Your reassuring presence, coming and going. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I am in the shower getting some peace and quiet you are there, if I find myself cleaning up bodily fluids, you are there.

If I have a glorious mom moment you are there, if I have an angry, fearful or insecure moment even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “I am emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually spent” and the light becomes night around me, you see me even in the dark and you immerse me in your light. The night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (even in my post-maternity body). Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, you know exactly what my soul needs as I mother.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me as daughter and mother were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I wake in the early hours or stay awake in the late hours, I am still with you. Search me, God, and know my heart—my longings, fears, desires, loves—test me and know my anxious or controlling thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Amen.

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