444 by Dee Wieninger

Excerpt from The Practice of the Presence of God

By Brother Lawrence

“If sometimes he is a little too much absent from that Divine presence, GOD presently makes Himself to be felt in his soul to recall him; which often happens when he is most engaged in his outward business: he answers with exact fidelity to these inward drawings, either by an elevation of his heart towards GOD, or by a meek and fond regard to Him, or by such words as love forms upon these occasions; as for instance, My GOD, here I am all devoted to Thee: LORD, make me according to Thy heart. And then it seems to him (as in effect he feels it) that this GOD of love, satisfied with such few words, reposes again, and rests in the depth and centre of his soul. The experience of these things gives him such an assurance that GOD is always in the depth or bottom of his soul, and renders him incapable of doubting it, upon any account whatever.”

I think it was when I read these words a few years ago that I started a little game with the Lord that I’ll call 444.  I don’t remember how it came about, I just know that when I see multiple numbers whether on a digital clock, pages of a book or on the license plate of a passing car, I see it as God’s way of getting my attention and “makes Himself to be felt in my soul to recall Him!” God can get my attention in all kinds of ways like seeing the leaves turn brilliant colors in the fall or a rainbow after a storm! But this is one that I especially enjoy because He plays it with me on a daily basis!  Throughout the day when I am very busy in my work, concentrating on my task or worse yet vegging in front of the TV; for no particular reason my eye will be drawn to the tiny corner of my computer or to the DVR cable box of the TV and I’ll see 4:44 or 10:10 or 3:45 or backwards 5:43. The stupidest grin comes across my face and my hands raise (either slightly or into the air depending on my location) and I say either out loud or in my heart, “I love you Lord! I praise you Lord! I tell Him how wonderful He is and thank Him for loving me so much that He visits me throughout the day with this little game. 

I have begun to involve our family in this game. Here’s a screenshot from my phone that I snapped and sent to the family. (I’ll give you three guesses why we love 8:28.)  When the others see it they will send their little “Praise the Lord!” message.  It is such a hoot that the family is recalling our Lord and praising our God together throughout the day!

What I also love about this game is that I never lose!  Even if I should look at a clock or license plate and it DOESN’T have a number pattern my mind is still drawn to God! I have never looked at the clock and said, oh well, no pattern, God’s not in it! I still smile and say “every second of everyday is my moment to love and praise you!” The patterns do hold a special place in my heart though!  Have you ever had a friend or loved one just call you out of the blue and say, “I was thinking about you and just wanted to say ‘hi’! Wow! That doesn’t happen often, but it’s so special when it does! That’s how I feel about my number patterns! It’s that extra special, “Hello Denise, I’m thinking about you!” Who wouldn’t smile and take notice of that? Who wouldn’t give Him praise and devotion when He takes time out of His busy day to play with His little girl!

What an amazing God we have!  I pray you will never look at a clock or random numbers the same way ever again!

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28