Texting God

I wish I could text God.  Like “Hey. God, whatcha doin?”  My little green bubble would light up and I’d wait excitedly as the … bubble appears telling me He’s texting back.

I have a daughter in college.  I have been so grateful for text and face time during this season.  We talk every day, throughout the day.  Nothing earth shattering.  We text good morning, we chat about our day, plan visits, talk about tests or assignments, complain about circumstances, share exciting news, and we have a tradition for saying good night that we’ve done since she was a toddler.  

When one of us is having a rough day, a few text exchanges can help us refocus.  When sadness or loneliness overtakes me, those three dots remind me that I am not alone.  A virtual hug, while never as good as the real thing, can bring peace to a heart that feels burdened.

There is comfort in being able to “talk” to her.  There is convenience of quick answers.  There is the peace that comes with an “I’m home” when I know she’s been out or traveling.  There is love knowing that at that moment, she is thinking of me.  We do life together, just differently than when she’s home.  But those three little dots tell me we are connected.  

Oh, how I wish I could text God.

In my head, we’d have this awesome back and forth.  He’d crack jokes.  Send me funny memes or a hug bitmoji.  He’d remind me how much He loves me and to hang in there.  I’d have instant connection.  Instant feedback. Instant access. 

Those three dots we see when we text are called an ellipsis.  They indicate an omission of words or a pause.  They tell you something is missing or something is forthcoming.  When texting my daughter, those dots represent the latter.  Anticipation of response.  Maintaining connection.  A link to her, even though she’s hundreds of miles away.

But here’s the thing.  God has been texting us all along.  Just not with bubble messages.  He responds with the warmth of the sun on our face giving us a new day of opportunity.  He sends hugs through the comfort of scripture to ease our loneliness or sadness.  He brings joy in the snuggle of a pet, shared meal with a friend, sounds of spring.  He brings satisfaction through a job well done.  He brings love by His residence in the depths of our hearts.

He doesn’t always respond as quickly as I’d like.  Or even with the comment or answer I wanted.  But neither does my daughter.  But He sends me just the right song.  Or I see a number that has personal meaning to me; a reminder that a loved one is watching over me.  He puts a scripture on my heart.  He sends a thought or an image to remind me I have a best friend who is always accessible.  And sometimes, He uses a text from my daughter at just the right moment to lift my spirits.

God is always accessible.  Always connected.  Always thinking of me.  God speaks to us every moment of every day.  And we don’t have to wait for a bubble to pop up on our phone.  We simply need to open our eyes, ears, and heart.  Matthew 6:33 tells us “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Rest in His presence.  Read His Word.  Observe His creation.  Praise Him in all things.  Live with thanksgiving.

If God had a smart phone, those three dots would tell me that something amazing is forthcoming.  If I look at the pause as opportunity to draw closer to my daddy in Heaven.  If I trust in the pause to let Him do His work in my life.  If I remember that those three dots mean, We.  Are.  Connected.  I. Am. Coming.  You.  Are. Loved.

God doesn’t need to text me.  But if He did, I’ll bet He’d have an epic bitmoji.