The time had come. Jesus had conquered the crucifixion, risen from the grave, and now walked the streets of Jerusalem for a few short days before His ascension into heaven. But for now, He had one last thing to do on planet Earth. Why the delay?

Do you suppose He knew the struggles His future followers like you and I would face in generations to come? Could it be their plight of suffering needed one final address of encouragement before He was raised up to sit alongside His Father? So Jesus spoke these words: "And lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age."

I'm convinced we're not nearly as FLABBERGASTED by that promise as we ought to be. Nor do we fantasize enough over the possibilities of what that declaration might actually look like in our day-to-day activities. Yes, it's true; His Spirit takes up residence in us, but the possibilities of that phenomenon go extensively beyond the jurisdiction of the natural.

God is not limited by the laws of nature in the ways He might choose to manifest Himself to us. It's a question to consider. Just how does His "I-will-be-with-you-always" show up in our lives?

Imagine. Escape with me outside the box of human reasoning for a minute and ponder this mystifying true story and let your mind entertain God's presence becoming a visible reality.

It was shortly before my divorce from the boys' father in 2006 that I let God into my heart. I asked Him to take over due to the weight of the burden I had to face. I realized I could not go on in my own strength. I needed someone stronger, and there was only one person for that job....GOD!

Mitch was 3 1/2 when his father left. I was struggling. We were attending church regularly, and Mitch was hearing about the love of Christ, yet something strange continued to reoccur. My son kept telling me about a "man on the roof" that had been in his room. I could not understand what he meant since we lived in a townhome and his bed was upstairs. It baffled me. One day, when getting ready for work, I was feeling especially alone. Mitch ran into my room, "Mommy. Mommy. The man on the roof said he will take care of us."

Tears came to my eyes as I understood what Mitch was saying. I needed those words so desperately. I realized that Mitch was expressing that God would watch over us. I could hardly believe that my little three year old could grasp what I could not at the time. He had so much confidence in the truth I had spoken to him about the comfort of God that He knew in his infant mind that God would draw near.

I often think back on that experience. And to this day when I feel alone or confused, I remember Mitch's extraterrestrial message. I need not be frightened when there's no money to pay the rent or food in the cupboard. "The man on the roof" stands watch over us.

My friends, who's to say that the angel of Jehovah's presence did not actually appear to Mitch or literally tap His foot on the roof? Honestly, who's to say? God must have a wonderful time in finding creative ways to break through the sphere of this planet with His "I-will-be-with-you-always" unexpected fingerprints.

Yes, God is nearer than you think. You are not alone. So close your eyes; take on the mindset of a three year old. Listen. Believe. Expect. For God's literally got you covered. After all, He's the man on the roof.

Lovin' you,

Pam

See Pam's blog - "Emmanuel - God With Us"