Cool story, Bro.

Our first dance started out all sweet and romantical… Then we busted out the salsa. With maracas. Seriously. I guess you had to be there.

“DUDE! It was awesome! There was like this guy and these three girls, and they sang some stuff, and then the stage lit up and sparks showered from the ceiling.”

Ever tried to share an incredible story or experience with someone and you are met with a dumbfounded look of incomprehension? When that happens in our household, my husband often says “Huh. Cool story, bro.” (Even though I’m not his bro. I’m his wife. But that’s besides the point.)

Or ever tell a story and realize halfway through that the other person just doesn’t get it? We usually end the description of our incredible experience with a comment like “And then I found five dollars” or “I guess you had to be there.”

Well, sometimes you do have to be there. Some things in life are meant to be experienced.

Like bungee jumping. (Not for this girl, though.) Or a really great frozen yogurt flavor. (That’s more my style.) Or listening to a great speaker at a conference. Or maybe… God.

Experiencing God is much different from acknowledging that He exists.

“But Sharita,” you think in protest. “I don’t have time/energy/cash/ability to go to the top of a beautiful mountain peak or lay in a field watching clouds to experience God.”

Au contraire, my friend. (French lesson of the day: That means “on the contrary.” Just in case you were reading this blog for simply informational purposes.)  God can be experienced everyday, right where you are, in more ways than you can imagine!

Think about your five senses. We are made to feel. Hear. Smell. Taste. See.  When we experience the small sweet things in life that move our heart, it’s probably one of those little “Experiencing God” gift moments.

We can experience God…

When we smell that pot of coffee brewing on an early morning.

When we feel the protective, loving hug from a friend as we cry.

When we taste the explosion of flavors from a new recipe.

When we hear the mourning dove welcoming in another day.

When we see a baby take her first steps across the living room floor.

God is everywhere. He is meant to be experienced. But the key is we have to be aware of His presence. We have to be on the lookout for Him.

When/where/how do you experience God? How does God show up through your five senses? I have my list of God’s gifts and experiences that make my heart sing His praises. What are some items on your list? Please share your joy by leaving a comment below!

When we experience God fully in our lives in every moment of our day, it can become contagious. Pretty soon others catch our joy and instead of us just telling about it, they too can experience it. Then and only then, when we are sharing our incredible experiencing God moments with them, they can say “Cool story, bro…” And actually mean it.

Living in experience not just existence,
SGK

“I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God’s straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.” ~2 Peter 1:1-2 (MSG)