And at other times there appears to him to be so much goodness and grace and mercy in God that it delighteth him with great affection of heart to love Him, and thank Him in such words and psalms as do most suit to that occasion, as David saith: "Confess ye to the Lord because He is good, because His mercy endureth for ever." This kind of prayer pleaseth God much, for it proceedeth wholly from the affection of the heart, and therefore never goeth away unsped or empty without some grace, and this prayer belongeth to the second part of contemplation, as I have said before. Whoso hath this gift of God fervently ought for a time to eschew the presence and company of all men, to be alone that he be not letted; whoso hath it let him hold it as long as he can, for it will not last long in its fervour. (John Climacus)

The goodness and grace and mercy of God comes in many forms. God appears in the most surprising places and ways.

It may be true that my most intense encounters with God have been when I am otherwise alone.

But I have also deeply felt God-with-me in the midst of great cities, in conversation with friends and strangers, while worshiping with many others.

Considering the range of these experiences, I perceive the encounters depend less on the context and more on me.

God's goodness and grace and mercy abounds. God's kingdom is constantly at-hand. But I am often so self-absorbed I do not notice.