I went to see him this week.  I wanted to encourage him and let him know that a lot of people are praying for him.  He’s in his 80’s and has been through a surgery for colon cancer and is taking quite a while to recover.  He’s been in a rehab hospital for a few weeks now, and it’s been a struggle.  The years of Parkinson’s Disease have also taken their toll, and sometimes he has a hard time remembering things.  His days pursuing his beloved hobbies of hunting and fishing ended some time ago.  His wife is in a battle with Alzheimer’s and has been moved to a retirement center where he will join her when he can.  The home where they’ve lived for decades will be empty.  So I thought I’d go by to pick him up a little.  I chose Psalm 91 to read to him and emphasized verse 15.  “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.”  I looked up from the Bible and started to say something about the verse, but he cut me off.  He looked me square in the eye and said, “He’s always there.”  In that moment I went from being the encourager to being the encouraged!  No complaining, no doubting, no pity party.  He simply had a firm assurance in the presence and help of his Lord.  That’s what the acknowledgement of the reality of God’s presence will do for you.  So where have you been lately?  Where are you today?  Where does it appear you are going?  Wherever that has been, is, or will be, you can rest in this simple thought:  He’s always there.