{"id":877,"date":"2013-10-18T21:55:38","date_gmt":"2013-10-18T21:55:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=877"},"modified":"2013-10-10T22:05:05","modified_gmt":"2013-10-10T22:05:05","slug":"our-time-with-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2013\/10\/our-time-with-god.html","title":{"rendered":"Our Time with God"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Maureen<\/a>If you knew that you were going to spend long days with a beloved friend, how would you want to pass the time? What sorts of things would you plan to do? Lots of outings, going to see the sights and eat lots of good food? Or, would you want to stay at home and just have a good talk punctuated by laughter, tears, a memory or two, and that awesome feeling of closeness that comes with a truly blessed relationship?<\/p>\n

Now, what if that time were to be spent with God?<\/p>\n

Well, actually, it is.<\/p>\n

Whether we’re conscious of it, or not, God is with us every moment of the day and night. We take him with us as we move through our routine, go to work, and, yes, see the sights on our time off.<\/p>\n

We’re also with God at home, when we’re relaxing or “just being” with others, family or friends.<\/p>\n

Like a true friend, God is with us when we’re sick, standing over us, ready to bring comfort. He’s that support, waiting when we wake up from anesthesia. He’s holding us when we’re waiting for the results of tests.<\/p>\n

The more conscious I am of this ultimate good friend who never leaves me, the stronger and more positive I feel. I find that I’m less inclined to be distracted, and more apt to be careful about the ways I spend my time and limited energy. And of course, \u00a0the more I turn to him throughout the day, the more encouraged I am that I am not alone or foresaken.<\/p>\n

How’s that for a great and true friend?<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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