“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31).

As parents, there are so many lessons we want to impress upon our children’s hearts before they’re grown and venture out on their own. As a parent myself, one of the many lessons my husband and I hope to teach is impressing upon our children the importance of simply stopping and taking the time to appreciate everything God’s created for their enjoyment.

Something I do often, especially when we’re on family trips, is to encourage them to look up and admire the beautiful sky and all the fluffy, floating clouds God’s provided. I can quickly become mesmerized and get lost in the clouds myself. I find it so relaxing to just watch them morph one into another while floating gently and effortlessly along. It’s peaceful and calming to my spirit to just sit back and watch each cloud dance across the pristine blue sky. I find it so interesting that something as simple as looking up can bring perspective and a refreshing rush to my soul.

And, while the girls and I are enjoying the fantastic show, I find myself reminding them that most people will never take the time to look up. So many will miss the peaceful calm that comes from simply stopping for a moment and enjoying the beautiful canvas of God’s amazing creation.

Speaking of creation, we were blessed to catch the sun peeking through and lining the clouds in a bright glow the other day. It was simply picture perfect…so beautiful.
When studying the clouds, I often am reminded of something… what I can’t see. I often wonder what marvelous and amazing things lie beyond the clouds…things we’ll experience one day when God calls us to our heavenly home.

1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds us of what we have to look forward to: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
And Isaiah 65:17 serves as a reminder of the future that awaits, “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”

Amazing! It’s hard to fathom that there are so many wonderful things waiting for us that we can’t even imagine what all is in store. Our minds will never be able to comprehend, this side of heaven, what God has prepared for those who love Him. I think that’s something every believer can and should get excited about!
As our girls grow, my prayer is that these precious moments we share together watching the clouds go by is leaving a lasting impression on their hearts.
I pray when grown they will hold a deep appreciation for the beautiful canvas of God’s creation and will pass that love and lesson onto their own children. I hope that no matter how busy their lives become that they will always continue to simply stop and look up.

No matter how busy your life may become, no matter how crazy the world may seem, let not your heart be distracted. Allow yourself to simply stop and enjoy the beauty and blessed gift of God’s majestic creation. And, while taking it all in, don’t forget to look up and imagine all He has in store beyond the dancing clouds.

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