Happy Girl

When we were kids, we all, at some point, laid down in the grass, stared at the sky and let our imaginations run wild. Today I found myself with two hours to spare at school, so instead of studying like an astute young lady, I got myself a double cheeseburger and chilled in my car. I cherish days when I have (or make) time to do that. It never fails to give me time to think and process and I always come out of my car happier than when I got in. Today was no different. I put in a good CD (Hillsong), laid my seat back, and stared into the sky through my windshield . . .

"Keep your eyes on the road", they say, but how in the world can I keep my eyes on the road when I'm constantly surrounded with beauty beyond compare? Have you ever just stared into the sky? Or even just looked around while you're driving? The brilliant colors and textures and contrast and complexity of it all. DiVinci who? We spend ridiculous amounts of money and time contemplating works that will never compare to the masterpiece we so take for granted and walk on day after day. If it's this beautiful after we've so polluted and dirtied it up, I can't even imagine how breath-taking it must have been at the very second it was formed.

My mind cleared and all my thoughts became centered on this huge blue mass. As I laid there, the clouds moved, changing shape and form only to reveal more beauty for my eyes to behold. The longer I stared, the more God I saw in every inch of everything. Even the most random ordinary things became coveted spectacles to me, but I was most encompassed by the blues and whites and grays of the sky. Try as I might, my imagination was failing me and I was disappointed. All the clouds just looked like clouds. I couldn't make anything fantastic of the shapes. I finally gave up and closed my eyes to rest a bit, though it was hard to keep them that way knowing what I was missing out on . . .

"God delights in revealing Himself to those who will seek Him with all their hearts." In the book "Captivating", the author (Stasi and John Eldredge) tells a story about how her husband had gone away to have some quiet time with God on the beach when he saw this huge whale gracefully careening through the water. He knew, at that moment, that the whale was God's gift specifically to him. God knew that he needed a something manly, something that would catch his attention and that's what he got. God planned and designed the moment and it was perfectly executed as an illustration of His love. "All of this is yours, my love".

Not much resting had been done when I opened my eyes. Most of the time was spent pondering the songs that were playing or thinking about school work. But much to my surprise, when I did open my eyes, something stunning appeared before me. I KNEW beyond any doubt that it was for me, designed by my Father to demonstrate His faithful love for me . . .

"I see the King of glory
coming on the clouds with fire."

If you've known me for any period of time, you know I love horses. Most people want a fancy new car with fancy gadgets... give me a horse and bale of hay and I'll be happy! I just adore the creature. I think they are one of the most beautiful animals created. Well, God knows my love for them too. (See picture) I was kissed right on the cheek by the lips of the living God. He not only showed me His love, but it was His way of saying "Hello love. I'm still up there. I'm going to mold some clouds into your favorite animal. Maybe you wont be too busy or preoccupied looking in the mirror to look up."

I've found myself listening to that particular Hillsong CD and reminiscing about the first time I heard that song, or missing the people that were in my life then and how close to God I was, thinking somehow that these people had an effect on how often or how intently I sought after God. This cloud, and circumstances, revealed to me a certain truth that I had long forgotten: God is still there, whether the friends are or not. He is in the same place I left Him. That means that no matter who I find in my company, if I'm truly, earnestly looking for Him, God will be found in any and all situations.