The prompt is present. The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear that word is just how present my Heavenly Father has been in my life. He has shown His love and mercy time and time again. He has loved me through times of grief, of disappointment, of fear, of sorrow. He promises in His Word that he will be present with us so in everything.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in time of need.”
— Psalm 46:1
The second thing I think of is another kind of present…as in how you present yourself to those around you. I long to be a sweet presence to those around me – my family, friends, co-workers, the sweet kids I serve at work, and the general public. I wish to represent Jesus in the way I carry myself and in my interactions with everyone. I wish to be a beacon of light and to lighten the load of someone who may be hurting.
And the third present on my mind reminds me to try harder to stop worrying and rely more on God. I want to be able to bring all my concerns to Him and then…as a very popular princess sang…”let it go”. I am striving to do this:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
— Philippians 4:6
daffodilsandcoffee 
I want to be a sweet presence to those around me too. Just like Kate said, when we’re present to others, we’re representing God. May God’s presence be real to you! #fmfparty
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And to you as well, Betsy. Thanks for dropping by.
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Love your three “presents” – the second especially struck me! ❤
Visiting from FMF — Sarah Jo
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That one really stood out to me this week as well. Have a blessed week.
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I love where you took this word. 🙂 After a trying evening, I could only think of the way I was failing at being willingly present and the present, as in a gift. But I love the reminder that God wants us to present our requests to Him. To Gift them to Him is what I thought of. I’ll give them to him if I trust HIm. Loved this. 🙂
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My prayer is that I can be more willing to give all my worries up to Him and let Him take the wheel. Thanks for stopping by.
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I like how you explored the different ways the word “present” can be used- and I needed the reminder to present my worries to God and let them go.
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“Let it go” has been my favorite phrase since I saw it on the movie. Hahaha.
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I want to be present like that to those around me too. To be light in the midst of a dark world etc. Great post! I’m linked yo behind you this week; in the #60 spot.
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Oh yes, Tara….this world desperately needs some light, doesn’t it? Hugs to ya.
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Nice! I love how you looked at the various meanings of the word. The second really struck me as well, perhaps I need to ponder that point a little more this year.
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Thanks for reading, Amy.
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Present my request to God. Oh yes, such a great reminder to not present my request to those around me or wander in my mind, but to Jesus! What a joy! Good word
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I don’t know about you, but I tend to tell everyone else about my problems. Why not give them up to the One who can do something about them? 🙂
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Love your number 3 and see it as connected to number 2. I really struggle to “let it go” and therefore be present, especially as a parent. You’ve reminded us of the key: give it to the Lord in prayer…slowly learning that one…that He can help us with what we think are the tiniest of things, but that can make an incredible difference in our and our family’s lives.
Thank you for your encouragement both here and on my blog post.
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You and me both, Anna, you and me both. It is a daily struggle with me. Have a great week.
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Thanks, Lynette. Just back from a 10-day blogging-world break…hence the late response!
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With His presence in your life, you cannot help but be a sweet presence to others.
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Amen, sister.
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Love the three different perspectives on “present”. I hadn’t thought about the definition that applies to how we present our selves to others. So important to consider! Visiting you back – glad to be reading your posts! 🙂
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Thanks for coming by, Jennifer. Glad you’re reading.
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Beautifully written. Your last present is something which spoke to me. I am not brought up religious and I don’t have a bible but I pray and speak to Him and it’s comforting.
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Thank you, Miranda. It is truly a comfort to be able to talk with God as if He is sitting right beside us. He loves us so much and is aways happy to listen. Be blessed, friend.
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Nice, thanks for this. Your verse went well with one that crossed my feed today.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Seemed a perfect marriage of scripture for me to see today. 🙂
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So perfect!!! Thanks for coming by, Maxine.
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Me too. Amen.
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Thanks for visiting my little corner. Be blessed.
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I thought of all the different meanings of the word, too :). I love how you’ve pulled them all together to help us remember important truths.
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Thanks, Anita. I am definitely a word geek.
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Lynette,
how beautiful. That Psalm was one of my first thoughts, but like you, I over-think these words and all the different uses and then have to cohesively put them together in only five minutes. You did wonderfully and included all three! 🙂
Thank you for your beautiful scriptures as well. God speaks so much, and He doesn’t need many words to bring life!
Love,
Tammy
(#81)
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I’ve got to ‘fess up here….it took me longer than five minutes to get it all down. 🙂
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I think this is the 3rd time today where I have been reminded to be a light for Him and that His light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. How important it is to let His presence make a difference in our lives and let His goodness, grace and love shine through us. Thank you for the reminder to be a sweet present in the lives of others. (FMF #42)
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Thanks for coming by, Rachel. Have a great week.
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Lynette, this is lovely. You cover so many aspects here of being ‘present’. These words are ones I long for too: “I wish to represent Jesus in the way I carry myself and in my interactions with everyone. I wish to be a beacon of light and to lighten the load of someone who may be hurting.” Amen! May it be so for all of us who bear His light within. Blessed to stop by and read your words today, friend.
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I’m blessed that you chose to stop by and read the words, Joy. Blessings to ya.
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Love, love, love all three presents/presence. Beautiful post and I love that coffee cup on your banner.
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Me and coffee go WAY back, so I had to include that one. My sweet daughter gave me that for Mother’s Day last year. Thanks for visiting.
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I’ve seen you commenting on all the late posters. So I hopped back to #9 to read your words … and I then saw your header. The coffee mug. The little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus and I LOVE THAT. so …. thanks for making my day with the new attitude for my mornings. (not coffee, but hot chocolate … and a WHOLE LOT of Jesus. Amen).
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So glad you came and visited. I do like to go back and revisit the link during the week in case there are people like me that take forever to link up. Love my coffee mug…
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