16 Legos: Practicing the Presence

For about five years, part of my “rule of life”–the spiritual habits I practice that I might better partner with the Holy Spirit in knowing and becoming like Jesus–has included “practicing the presence of God.” 

Inspired by the works of Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach, I have sought to slowly increase the number of times throughout the day when I reconnect with God and bring God to my mind.

I have used various “prompts” or “reminders”: thinking about God each time I take a drink of water; setting an alarm to remind me to think of God at various moments during the day; etc.  Most recently, I’ve been carrying around 16 Lego pieces–one piece for each hour from 7 AM through 10 PM.  I’d start the day with all 16 in my right pocket.  With the passing of each hour, I would try to reconnect with God.  When successful, I would move 1 Lego piece from my right pocket to my left pocket.  After 10 PM, I would count the Lego pieces in my left pocket.  I’ve kept a journal, recording these numbers.

It has been agonizingly slow.  I end most days with far less pieces in my left pocket than I’d like.  But about two weeks ago, for the first time in my life, I connected with God during every hour from 7 AM through 10 PM.  I had 16 Lego pieces in my left pocket at day’s end.  It was a wondrous experience and one I pray can be oft-repeated.

How do you connect with God throughout the day?