Presentation is Everything, and some days do not present well. 

In our forty six years of marriage, my husband, Randy, has learned a valuable lesson from me: Presentation is Everything. He doesn’t necessarily agree with that–he has accepted presentation as important to me, so he humors me a lot of the time, especially when I cook. When it comes to food, you’ve heard, “You eat with your eyes before you eat with your mouth.” I like pretty food. I like to make it, I like to serve it, and I like to eat it. 

But to support my point, even though “you can’t judge a book by its cover”, first impressions are impactful in a first-time introduction. I’ve been told that statistically, first-time visitors of churches decide within the first thirty seconds whether or not they want to come back. And I could go on about job interviews, pitching to potential clients, social media posts, but you’re smart…you know presentation makes an impact. 

I wouldn’t be completely honest if I didn’t say that some days, life doesn’t present so well. Truth be told, there are whole seasons of life that lack a positive impression. I’ve found myself in that kind of season in the recent past. Thus, the reason I haven’t posted a blog in several weeks, or engaged through social media. Seems like all my energy has been devoted to functioning day to day, participating with what is right in front of me, not asking for anything more…I haven’t felt I could handle any extra feels.

Are you familiar with that feel?

I know some of you relate, because we’ve had conversations about it, and if you’re not in it now, you may have been there. For those of you who haven’t been there, chances are, you’ll find yourselves walking through a rough spot at some stage. So keep reading. You’ll like the point here.  

Three weeks slugged by, sapped of energy, devoid of drive, weighty in spirit. Nothing necessarily different happened to cause this condition. I was just in a “Blue Funk”, as my friend Rosemary calls it. From past experience, I have learned to MAKE MYSELF sit with God, like David did in 1 Chronicles 17:16. David’s context is different, but he’s looking for answers, so he goes to God, he sits, he asks, he listens. David models self-discipline, and although I never feel like exercising discipline, I want answers when I’m in a Blue Funk. The discipline of listening to God produces answers from God. 

On this particular Monday, I walked out to my back porch, coffee poured strong and Bible in hand, FORCING MYSELF to meet with God. My feelings were telling me, “Go back to bed and go to sleep.” Truth was saying, “Meet with God. He has a word for you to hear. Today.” 

[Side Note: When these voices are competing, I’ve learned I get to choose which voice I pay attention to, regardless of which one speaks loudest. I’ve also learned Truth is the best voice: it overcomes feelings, breaks through lies, and its victory is sustainable. Truth is life-giving.]

As I sat down, looking across the yard I noticed the presentation was not as pleasing as usual. It had rained the night before and water was still standing in the low places. The amount of water was so great the ground had not been able to soak it up. Immediately, my mind began singing the lyrics, 

“Holy Spirit, You are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. 

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for, to be overcome by Your presence, Lord.” 

The ground had been overcome by the rainfall. Likewise, I felt the presence of the Lord overcoming my spirit. 

As I continued to pay attention, my eyes caught the drenched shrubbery, and within a second, I was fixed on each separate leaf holding several individual drops of water. With His rain, not only had Creator God hydrated these plants from their roots at the bottom, He continued after the rain to feed them through their leaves on top. What a picture of being overcome: top to bottom! 

Just as soon as that thought penetrated, God lovingly reminded me of His overwhelming presence with me, His presence that overcomes every voice or circumstance or feeling that seems to overpower me. Truth is, His presence continually overcomes–being All-Powerful means being most powerful. 

I felt so loved, so secure in His presence. All this occurred in a matter of thirty to forty seconds–before I ever opened my Bible to read His Word! God was speaking clearly to my heart. 

Here’s what I learned: I wasn’t “feeling it” before I went out, but when I asked for it, then paid attention, God was right there, loving on me, giving me security, showing Himself strong even in my weakness.

[Side Note: For scriptural support, see Hebrews 12:11-13 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Think of God’s grace and discipline that teaches valuable life lessons.]

God met me that morning…where I was…as I paid attention. Even in the smallest details. And did I mention the peace that enveloped my inner self? I have no words for that. His peace is greater than the Blue Funk.

Since that day, some of the Blue Funk still hangs over my head, and the feelings still creep up on my heart. But its voices are not as loud as they had been, and all the feels seem to be a little more manageable. 

Paying attention to the presence of God all around me lessens the impact of the Blue Funk. 

He presents Himself in the most surprising ways, and Presentation is Everything! 

I”m wondering, how has God surprised you lately? Shoot me a comment below :)