Additional information
by Phil A. Smouse (Author), Phil A. Smouse (Illustrator)
Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of "practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end." He often said that God paints Himself in the depths of our souls; we must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence.
Acclaimed author/illustrator Phil A. Smouse shares Brother Lawrence's beautiful teachings in a simple way that little children can understand. With You Always: The Practice of the Presence of God for Kids explains how God is always with us and loves us no matter what. Using a vocabulary of less than fifty simple words combined with charming illustrations, the book helps children discover that they are always in the presence of God.
With You Always includes some carefully selected excerpts of conversations, letters, and maxims of Brother Lawrence from the classic book The Practice of the Presence of God.
As he went about his day, Brother Lawrence learned that the time he spent in communion with the Lord should be the same, whether he was bustling around in the kitchen or on his knees in prayer. He learned to cultivate the deep presence of God so thoroughly in his own heart that he was able to joyfully exclaim, "I am doing now what I will do for all eternity. I am blessing God, praising Him, adoring Him, and loving Him with all my heart."
Author Biography
Author/illustrator Phil A. Smouse once wanted to be a scientist but that required too much math. So instead, he studied liberal arts, music, and graphic design. Phil has written and illustrated dozens of books, including The Pilgrim's Progress Illustrated Adventure for Kids: A Retelling of John Bunyan's Classic Tale; My Big Book of Bible Stories; and My Big Book of Bible People, Places and Things. Phil and his wife Annette make their home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (1611-1691) was a lay brother in the Parisian Carmelite Order, which practiced extreme asceticism. He taught that one's "entire call and duty" was "to adore God and to love Him, without worrying about the rest." Brother Lawrence believed that by accepting God's help and guarding our souls by keeping them in tune with God's will, we can have constant fellowship with the Lord.
