Longing for intimacy?

Here lately I want to write all the time.... I have two pages worth of things I want to share that have never made it to this space. It's a little overwhelming. I want to be more intentional here and pre-write posts and do all those things to grow this blog but somehow I get lost in the shuffle of day to day. 
This leaves me with an overflowing heart and a fully filled "to-write" list. As strange as it might sound, I often feel like I haven't completely processed something until I get it into words.
So here I sit on this beautiful Thursday morning listening to the sound of my fingers hit the keyboard and the rain hit the tin roof (such a calming combination), gazing out the window at my small glimpse of the river near our house, asking God what He would have me write.   Sometimes when God overwhelms me with His truth, I want to write it out right then... but sometimes He says wait. It never ceases to amaze me how He coordinates many of those posts to go up right when someone needs it. I get those messages all the time. I thank God that He knows, because how on earth could I if He weren't telling me?
The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions and truth and dreams and prayers. I've had some really low moments and truly great moments but they've been paired by deep, deep intimacy.
That's what I long for. That's what I crave. Intimacy with Him. 
Think about it.... when was the last time you really felt true intimacy with God?
When was your favorite moment of intimacy with God?
For me it comes in high highs and low lows and even just in day to day.
I recall sitting at my grandpa's funeral, surrendering my plans over to His, the moment before I walked down the aisle, going to visit a friend in the midst of deep pain. 
I recall moments of overwhelming, unexplained peace, the push out of my comfort zone, the voice in my quiet time, the word out of the blue. 
I know God is always with me but I'm talking about the moments it seems like He's giving me a big hug, whispering in my ear, singing over me, writing on my heart.
Those moments where He's so personal He feels tangible but so big it makes my brain hurt. 
I love these moments. I cling to them. I long for them.
Today as I began to write, I contemplated taking on many different posts on my list.
I asked God for direction on which one to write. I wanted His guidance. He showed me though that I really NEEDED His intimacy.
Do you want His intimacy?  Do you crave it? Do you recognize your need for it? Do you feel it's been too long since you've experienced it?
If that's you, I want to share with you some places to find it...... God's intimacy comes in seeking. {Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually. - Psalm 105.4} Sometimes we don't know God's heart because we don't look for it. Anyone else out there guilty with me? If we really want God we need to make time, get alone, open His word, and expect Him to show.
God's intimacy comes in sorrow.  {O Lord, all my longing is before You; my sighing is not hidden from You My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes-it also has gone from me. - Psalm 38.9-10} We live in a world that says to be strong, don't cry, pull up you boot straps. Often times when we skip sorrow and aren't real about our emotions we miss the opportunity to let God come redeem the brokenness. We miss out on the opportunity to be healed and enlightened.
God's intimacy comes in silence. {Be still, and know that I am God.- Psalm 46.10} Life gets busy. Amen? There have been so many times in my life that I, unintentionally, was avoiding God's intimacy. Slow down. Plan an off hour, day, week to just be alone with the Lord. Don't be so quick to hop on the phone or make a call when you get in the car. Stop clicking on the TV first spare moment or checking up on Facebook. These are all habits I'm trying to break. 
God's intimacy comes in singing. {I will sing of Your strength; I will sing aloud of Your steadfast love in the morning. - Psalm 59.16} I'm not talking about literally singing (although I do enjoy that too). Singing is often interchangeable with praising in Scripture. Some of my favorite moments with the Lord have been giving Him praise for who He is and what He's done. I wonder how many moments I miss because I forget to praise Him.
God's intimacy comes in surrender. {Teach me to do Your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! - Psalm 143.10} These aren't my favorites if I'm being honest. Maybe because it usually takes me awhile to get there. I love the intimacy that comes when I let go and God has His way and I realize my insanity and His great beauty. Sometimes it's in big things like leaving my nursing degree, saying yes to a quick proposal, or trusting His timing for children. Sometimes it's in the day to day like making a phone call, sending an email, or even writing a blog. What are you clinging to? What are you hesitant to be obedient in? Just surrender. What your holding won't compare to the intimacy you'll gain if you let it go.
I would love to hear about your most intimate moments with God and where you find them. 
I hope you have a blessed and intimate day with our Creator.