The Porch of His Presence

MONK’S JOURNAL

Introduction

He was an older man—not elderly, but just on the far side of his middle years.

He had taught high school biology for a time, hoping to spark wonder in the way things grow, how they’re made, and the unique niche each lifeform holds in the world. But most of his students didn’t seem to care. A few had shown a flicker of interest, but not many.

He had been married once, but his wife died young. He had no desire to find someone else—honestly, there was no one who could ever take her place.

At first, alone, he lived quietly. He would come home from school, eat a simple dinner, read for a while, reflect, and meditate. He tried his hand at gardening—a few tomato plants, some onions, a pepper or two—but the longing remained. The house was too big. The yard felt too small.

On Sundays, he went to church. In the evenings, he would open his Bible again. He found himself drawn to the men of Scripture who had known God—not through ritual alone, but in friendship. In stillness. In holy conversation.

Enoch… he walked with God. David, a man after God’s own heart. And the prophets—they spoke with God and listened to His voice. Could he ever know such closeness with the Father? Could that kind of relationship still be possible?