See Then Really See

I remember being in the car with my mother.
It was the days before seat belts were mandatory and car seats for children didn’t exist.
I was sitting in the front bench seat.
Sitting there was allowed back then.

I remember the sky was so blue.
The blue sky reminded me of a particular crayon I loved in my large Crayola box.
The clouds were like cotton candy in the sky.
As we drove along on this sunny day, I saw it.

It seemed as if the sky opened up.
It wasn’t an expansive opening, but rather a porthole.
Through that porthole, a ray of sunlight burst forth.
It was as if the sky opened just enough to let the shaft of light shine through.

Look, Mommy, I said pointing.
A door to heaven.
I craned my neck as much as I could so I could look out the front windshield.
I wanted to see the door to heaven; I wanted to trace my finger along the shaft of sunlight.

As I traced the brilliant shaft of light with my finger, I left a mark on the window.
As quick as the light came bursting through, it went away.
In my little girl mind, the door closed.
I was so happy that God opened the door for just a few minutes so I could see such beauty.

Even today, far removed from my little girl thoughts, I still marvel at that sight.
I am still in awe when the clouds part and a glorious beam of sunlight shines through.
I still want to trace the shaft of light with my finger.
I still want to open the door even more to get a glimpse of heaven.

When we grow up, our childlike imaginations mature, too.
Sometimes, we are able to hold on to some of that childlike wonder.
Sometimes, a memory will make itself known and we remember.
Wonder is a gift we must hold onto if we are to see the world the way God intended.

It delights God when we marvel at His creation.
It pleases Him when we enjoy the things He made.
He did not have to create such beauty.
He created all of this for our good pleasure and His glory.

My son-in-love sent a picture to all of us.
It was a picture of my oldest granddaughter.
She helps her mommy water the garden every morning.
On this particular day, her childlike wonder warmed my heart.

As she stood holding the hose, dutifully watering the garden, she looked up to the sky.
As her mommy watched her, she quietly turned the hose upward.
She sent a spray of water towards the sky.
Her mommy continued to watch her without saying a word.

Without turning to her Mommy, she spoke.
Look, Mommy! I’m watering God in heaven.
Her mommy captured the moment before her daughter’s explanation.
I am so glad she did.

Look Mommy! A door to heaven.
Look Mommy! I’m watering God in heaven.
Grandma and granddaughter in childlike wonder.
Childlike wonder generations apart.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

My throat tightened when I saw that picture of my granddaughter.
I was remembering.
I was marveling.
I was so grateful.

Grateful to God for pulling back the veil just enough for wonder to break through.
Grateful for giving us beauty that captivates us in ways we never dreamed.
Seeing and then really seeing.
Knowing the One we thank for such wonder.

How sad that so many are somnambulists, sleep walking through their days.
How tragic that so many see and then fail to take a second look to really see.
All this beauty is just waiting to be enjoyed.
If you have been given a glimpse, tell others.

Don’t just tell, point.
Point others to the One who made such beauty.
Point others to our Creator who loved us so much, He created the world for our pleasure.
When you point to our loving Creator God, give Him the glory for the beauty you see.

See, then really see.
Marvel at the beauty.
Look with eyes of wonder.
Declare His glory and proclaim the work of His hands.