A lesson I re-learned this week: I am totally dependent on God to make any change in thought or behavior at all. And that applies especially now, when we are tempted to fret about our health, finances, and the future of our beautiful country. Funny how we keep learning the same lessons over and over again, but go a little deeper with them each time.
Relaxing into God’s arms is the cure for too much worry and self-will: the way to be closer to God is to stop worrying so much and start “being” with Him more.
Someone sent me the piece below, which is based on John 15, years ago. I don’t know who wrote it, but I’m glad they did. It helped put things in perspective and I hope it does the same for you. Scroll down and leave a comment to let me know what you think!
Love always,
Rose
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (Jn 15:9-11).
HOW TO HANG OUT WITH GOD
Me: God, what do You want me to do?
He: I know what I want to do, what do you want to do?
Me: Well, I would like a happy marriage, well-behaved children, clean house, health, enough money…
He: Okay, all good things.
Me: What do You want me to do?
He: Hang out with me.
Me: Hang out? What do You want to do?
He: Hang out.
Me: What do You want to talk about?
He: Let’s just hang out.
Me: Now what do You want to do?
He: Nothing, let’s just hang out.
Me: What can I do?
He: Hang out with me.
Me: Then what?
He: Love.
Me: Then what?
He: Love some more.
Me: What for?
He: Because I said so.
Me: What good is it for?
He: You’ll see.
Me: I don’t feel very loving.
He: I know.
Me: How am I going to do it?
He: Just do it.
Me: Why?
He: Because I told you so.
Me: What else?
He: That’s it.
Me: What do you mean, that’s it?
He: Just hang out with me.
Me: It’s hard for me to hang out, I need to be doing something.
He: I know.
Me: So what should I do?
He: Hang out with me.
Me: How do I do it?
He: You’re doing it right now.
Me: I feel ridiculous, You just want me to hang out?
He: Yeah.
Me: I love You…what I know of You.
He: Love you too.
Me: What do You love about me?
He: That you hang out with me.
Me: Who wouldn’t want to hang out with you?
He: You’d be surprised.
Me: Surprise me.
He: Well, for instance, you. You often have a million things going through your head, or you fill it up with silly fantasies or judgments or you worry too much.
Me: Sorry.
He: I forgive you.
Me: So what do You want to do?
He: Let’s just hang out and see what happens.
Helen
Amazing that I am reading this now. At this moment. Could not have needed it more
Helen
Please pray for my daughter Denise. She is losing her fight against stage 4 lung cancer
Karen
Dear Helen,
Please know that we are covering your daughter Denise with our prayers! Sweet Jesus we pray that You wash her clean from this cancer with Your precious blood. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding settle upon Denise and her beautiful family. Jesus we trust in You 🙏💛🙏
Aida Hill
Amen.
It’s always a beautiful and relaxing feeling just to hang out with God. Love it.
Esther Davis
Hang out with Him always. Let Him do what He knows is best for you. Just hang out and Love Him, be silent, and see what He can do for you.
Thanks Rose, good idea, who wouldn’t want to hang out with Jesus, just be quiet, let come what may, be surprised. If we did that more often, we would not have so much confusion and trials. Sweet Jesus, i trust in You, love You. Amen.
Barb s.
It is very Good .. to just Be with Jesus.. will bring us Peace!
We all need His Peace!
Linda Hartzell
“I need to be doing something.”
How often have I said THAT!
Give yourself permission to do NOTHING.
Hang out with God.
Love this.
Linda
Virginia
Just what I needed to hear at this time
Terry Wollersheim
I LOVE this! I needed to read this now.
Bernice
Oh my goodness! This is so true of me–always doing things not wanting to “waste” time. Thank you Rose for posting this–especially on Sunday morning and the feast of the Ascension of our Lord!
Diane Lavallee
I live this at has come at the tight time. Right now I am only a e yo eLk shirt distances SI ce foot surgery. I am used to going on 3-5 mile walks. I am always on the move. I don’t know how to sit still. After reading this now I will just Hang with God. Thank you.
Jan Brown
I’m finding that the more I go to Mass, the more I want to go to Mass.
Thanks Rose, once again your message is so timely!
Love,
Jan
Margie
It’s very difficult to feel loved when you are in pain. I know that He loves me but I don’t feel that I’m deserving of His Love. I will try to just hang out with Him. Thank you🙏
Suzanne Landis
I spend time with Jesus every day but I seem to fill it with prayers and devotions I “should” be saying instead of just being with him and letting his love fill me. Come, Lord Jesus, fill me with the fire of your love.
May the fire of Pentecost inflame our hearts as we wait for the coming of the Spirit of Love!
Susan Sheehan
Thank you for this. This truly has been a week of tears and fears… heartbreaking for everyone but especially teachers.
I needed to hear the simplicity of… “just hang out with me” and “just do it.”
We often make things harder than they are. Not sure if it’s avoidance or what but our Lord makes it so easy for us when we remove all the barriers. Thanks for the reminder.
Annamae
Love it. Hanging out with God is the ultimate🙏🙏💕💕
Annamae
Just got diagnosed with uterine cancer. All I want to do is hang out with God💕💕💕💕
Chris Heiderscheidt
How interesting! It’s kinda like just wanting to be around someone you really love even though there is nothing going on. Love it!
Thanks Rose,
Sylvia Stovall
Very soon I will leave to go to Mass. So grateful at 87 I still can drive to and be in God’s real presence in church. Thank you for the “Hang Out” essay. It is how I always used to live and still do at times when I forget. thanks for the reminder.
Helen
Please pray for my daughter Denise her stage 4 lung cancer is winning the battle
Mary Foley Garcia
I really needed this today.
I am almost 70 and have had some issues with my health that have caused me to question my capabilities. I don’t want to give in to being afraid.
I do spend time with God, but will stop more often when I have these thoughts.
Thank you for your posts.🙏🏻😇
Candee
Love this! I needed this right now. It seems like I am always thinking and worrying about everything. I’m going to try harder to “Just hang out with God” more. Thank you for sharing, Rose.
Anne Gordon
I have had a chronic illness for 20 years. I can’t do much. I pray but never had this thought of hanging out with Jesus. What a wonderful thought. I’m always wishing I had more friends but everyone is so busy.
Time is what I have. I just found my new best friend. Thank you so much Rose.
Stacia
Love this
Mary Gilbreath
Thank you for sharing, love this. 💖
Karen
Dear Helen,
Please know that we are covering your daughter Denise with our prayers! Sweet Jesus we pray that You wash her clean from this cancer with Your precious blood. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding settle upon Denise and her beautiful family. Jesus we trust in You 🙏💛🙏
Debbie Graham
I love, love, love this, it brought a smile to my face, I chuckled and said, Yep, that’s all He wants from us, is to just hang out with Him, and before you know it, we are hanging out with Him.
This is one to hang on the fridge.
Thank you Rose, you’re so beautiful, thank you for this conversation with God and for the beautiful Pansies and the picture of the beautiful lady
Irma Garza-Anderson
Thank you Rose! I want to hang out with Him, but often forget to just “be” with Him. Before I realize it I’m asking Him for this or that or questioning why certain thinks happen. This is a reminder to come back and just Hang out with Him….no talking, no questioning Just Hang Out With Him!
I will keep this in mind. You are a blessing to me.
Margaret Macknowsky
Sounds so easy but it is probably the hardest thing to do
Rosemary Maestas
I loved it! This is so true, we can’t just sit still and be with God. This article brought a smile to me this morning. Thanks.
Dorothy Huggins
I try to work on being patient and just slow down. Enjoy the little things in life. God is always with us. I just need to be more attentive to him🙏🏻
Kathy DiCiurcio
Thank you Rose. I love this. I really need to work on this in my life. I worry so much and never feel at peace unless I am in church. I need to bring that feeling into other aspects of my life.
Lynda Rozell
This hits home! I love this conversation and hanging out with God anywhere.
Diane Isabelle
Great posting, Rose! Loved those pansies too.
Mary Thibodeaux
Just what I needed! Praying for all cancer patients!
Leah
Thank you for reminding us Rose! The “Being” is so important, and we forget to just “Be” when our minds want us to just “Do”. I pray all that read this can reframe to just “BE, and hang out with Him”- God Bless!
Tom Roberts
I try to start out with the first line “God, what do you want me to do?” Then, to insure against cooking up some wild outlier thought from my own head, I read John XXIII’s ONLY FOR TODAY, his list of ten guidelines for rational thought and conduct emphasizing kindness to others and one’s self. Oh! Quite often I add the Beatitudes to the mix.
Sharon Witzell
Thanks Rose…so simple…why don’t we all just do this more!
Loved it!
Sharon
TheresaClifford
Hi Rose, reading these words remind me of the Abbott and Costello .Who’s on first routine.?
Am d who’s on second. I want so much to hang out with God. I feel a big rock is in front of
Me.I know Jesus is every where.please say a pray for me. I am trying not to be down..I enjoyed all the comments. GOD Bless you.
Theresa or Terry.
Darlene Mackey
Thank you, Rose. This is not something new to me but I needed the reminder. So often I try to “do it myself” and find I make a mess of things., or I worry and fret over things that are out of my control.
Sitting with God for a few minutes or however much time you have is a wonderful time of peace. My hope is restored and I am put on a strsight course. God knows us so well. But when we lower the barriers and and pour our hearts into His hands, we can be assured of His love and providence. Again, Thank you so much.