Morning communion: How could I not recognize your presence?

Featured ~ Lisa Brittain

October 5, 2025

“But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

{first morning light}

2025 will go down in my personal history book as a self-classified doozie! What a rollercoaster ride, which means this year has been exhilarating, terrifying, adventurous, a thrill-a-minute, and full of tears – both tears of pain and tears of joy.

How about you, dear Reader?

How would you classify 2025 in your personal history book?

God’s provision for me (around this time 2024) was that he caught my attention with a word, Immanuel. It’s a name given to the Savior of the world through the prophet, Isaiah. Immanuel, which means God with us, seemed to show up everywhere, in songs, in scripture, and at Hobby Lobby. I thought at the time, “God is giving me a focus for Advent.” And He was.

But it was bigger than that. He was teaching me; actually no, He was training me to look for Him in everyday moments. He’s right here. God is with me beyond Christmas decorations, and Advent scripture readings. I am learning by meditating and pondering on Immanuel.

Over the course of this interesting Immanuel year, I have intentionally met with God first thing in the morning. Daily, my goal is to pull myself up from my comfy bed in the still dark morning so that I can sit with Him, and my coffee, in the silence of a brand new day.

Every time I encounter His name, Immanuel, I remember that He is here. He is with me.

{Morning communion}

One day on my way to the coffee pot, I had an inspired thought, “I should break bread with Jesus pre-dawn.” On that day I began taking communion. It’s been at least a month now of meditating on His very real presence while breaking bread and drinking the cup as an act of worship.

“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭30‬-‭32‬ ESV

Recently, I was focused in prayer and giving thanks to God about all the conversations I’ve been having about Him. And the scripture above from Luke 24 came to mind.

And then the conviction seeped deep into my consciousness. How could He be right here, as close as my breath, but I did not recognize His presence? How could I be talking about Him, but not include Him in the conversation?

How can it be that He dwells with me continuously, but I utter not a thank you in His direction?

Communion prayer:

{withness}

Oh Lord, forgive me for all the minutes I take for granted. Forgive me for not honoring You as the Main Attraction, the object of my praise, in every conversation.

Please open my eyes to see You, and soften please, my heart to adore you. I want to honor You in my words and with my hands, and with my thoughts and intentions.

Thank you for focusing my attention more intimately on who you are, Immanuel. Thank You for this rollercoaster year. Thank You for planning ahead and training my heart and mind to look for You in all the moments of laughing tears and pain-filled tears. Thank You for being the main point in every conversation.

Thank You for inviting me into communion. Thank You for loving me first.

I love You too!

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,

Lisa

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am a curious follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received miraculous healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I received a challenge to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by my fearful living choices. It was my two sons, who loved me enough to confront me with the truth. They called out the hypocrisy of fear, and I am forever thankful. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. Years ago, with my eyes open to my sin of unbelief I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. God has been faithful to teach me, grow me up, and help me to let go of all the things that used to mean security to me. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall in love with Jesus through His word; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 36 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have helped to grow two young men, who are now married with their own families. God is continuing to help them write their own faith stories. Additionally, we share our home with an old rescue pup. I look forward to having you join me here to fix our eyes on Jesus and shine with His radiance, Lisa Psalm 34:5

6 thoughts on “Morning communion: How could I not recognize your presence?”

  3. Beautiful post, Lisa, I have written much about Immanuel, and loved your morning communion encounter and prayer, thank you for sharing such beauty with us!

  4. Lisa, this is just beautiful. “”Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”” Praying that each day while I read God’s Word this is exactly what would occur in our lives. May the Lord open Scriptures to us. May our hearts burn with God’s truth. And may we come to understand more fully the rich treasure we hold in our hands – our Bibles. Bless you!

  5. Hooray!! Thank you for joining me, Jerralea, in seeking to be more and more aware of His presence. I appreciate you!
    Keep writing, and eyes on Jesus and shine!!
    Lisa

  6. Lisa, so funny my eyes fell on this post immediately after I’d had a time of prayer focusing on the word Emmanuel! I love the word Emmanuel and its meaning of God with us. I, too, got to thinking about the fact that as a saved child of God, He comes to dwell within me! Such an amazing thing. I don’t know how He can dwell with each believer in that way; but hey! He is God, and I am not. Anyway, my prayer today was to become more aware of His presence in the everyday.

Comments are closed.