Last week, I had the opportunity to witness one of the most beautiful skies I have ever seen God create with his paintbrush. It went from one extreme to the other, in the span of two hours. My daughter is always the first to notice the beautiful sky, because she loves it as much as I do. She always finds me and says, “Come and take a look!”

I was driving her to gymnastics class, with my eyes on the road. The beautiful skyline wasn’t directly in my field of vision. Suddenly, my daughter shouted from the passenger seat, “Mommy! Look at the SKY!” It was incredible! Dark, indigo clouds were layered one over the other. Lighting up, all across the top, was a bright and beautiful silver lining! I explained to my daughter what it means to look for the silver lining. I told her that’s what Mommy’s blog is about: helping people to remember to look for the good things that come out of the bad things. She understood, saying it’s like when something is sad, and God comes and makes it all better.

When I made my right turn, the view was in front of us, and we oohed and aahed over the beautiful sight. We both agreed it was worth it to be a little late to gymnastics, to stop and take a picture. I ended up stopping three times! I couldn’t believe the amazing sky that expanded above us. How can anyone believe there is no God? We were a tiny bit late to her class;  the silver lining was truly the silver lining itself!

My daughter joined her gymnastics class, which takes place in a large school gym. There are two long skinny windows, which run along the top. As I sat with the other moms, my daughter did a flip, and said excitedly, “Mommy, look at the SKY! Go take a picture!” She was smiling, with her finger pointing towards the windows at the top of the gym. Unbelievable! It looked like the sky was on fire! There were puffy, bright orange clouds filling up the windows. As I exited the gym, the bright, pink and orange, cotton clouds were spreading out, filling the sky! I followed them around the corner of the gym, because the clouds she had seen through the windows, were on the other side.

My mouth dropped open in amazement! The sky was ablaze, and it had changed from indigo to orange, in just an hour. What artist can claim such a masterpiece? No one, other than our Creator! I took several pictures, and walked back into the building. My sky girl…my little one who points out every sky, and loves the moon, had wanted me to have the joy of seeing the beautiful clouds, while she continued doing cartwheels in her class. How could I go back inside, knowing she hadn’t seen it yet?

She ran over for a drink of water. “Abby,” I said, “Do you want to go out and see that beautiful sky?” Her eyes sparkled, and she nodded yes. “Hurry! Put on your flip-flops! We’ll go see it, and then I’ll bring you back to class!” She grabbed her footwear, and we walked outside into the chilly, fall air.

“WOW!” Her face lit up, delighted, a reflection of the splash of colors dancing above us. We walked around the building and pointed at the clouds. She remarked, “It looks like the sky is on FIRE!” I told her I thought the same thing. We took some pictures, and walked back around the gym to finish her class. We were holding hands, and I told her that I just couldn’t go see the sky, and not come get her to see it, when she loves the sky so much.

“I didn’t want you to miss it,” I said.

“Mommy,” she said, smiling. “You KNOW me!” The impact of her words filled my heart with the same burning beautiful fire that lit the sky. My heart was on fire with love for her! To know someone is to love them. My daughter knows my love for her. She knows she is loved. She knows that I am someone who loves her. And I know, that she loves me.

After class, my daughter wanted to visit the school playground. She’d seen it when we’d gone out to look at the sky. She’d never played on the equipment there before. It would be getting dark soon, and she didn’t have the right shoes. But I know my daughter. She was very excited about the playground, so I helped her remove her shoes for some of the activities. She listened to me, and obeyed the rules. I was so happy I had said yes to the playground; as the sun went down, her face lit up, and she shouted, “I feel so ALIVE!” She was in her element: climbing, moving, and exploring in one of her favorite places…the playground.

She knew I would let her try everything. She’s athletic, but I knew she would need me as the sun went down. She knew my hands would be there, guiding her feet on the rock wall, which was more challenging in the dark! She trusts me. A car’s headlights, flashing across the playground equipment, gave her a little scare. When I reassured her she was safe, she giggled with relief. I reminded her that she was safe with me, because we are both safe with God watching over us. I reminded her that God can see her and find her, even in the dark.

My daughter has known Jesus since she was three years old. It’s been a joy to watch The Holy Spirit fill her with wisdom at such a young age. We talked about how we can’t even hide from God, and her explanation was that night is like daytime to God. We were now discussing Psalm 139, as she played in the dark! She knows God is our Protector. I’ve taught her to call on the name JESUS, whenever she feels afraid. After she tried every piece of playground equipment, it was time to go. I knew she’d ask to do some last minute things again. Usually I let her pick a couple more activities, but it was too dark. She knew I was right; it was time to head for home. I knew she’d understand. We know each other.

Our Father in Heaven KNOWS us. He is our Creator. He knows everything about us. He knows each and every move that we make. He knows the number of hairs on every head. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7 New International Version). He knows every thought. He knows the motive of every heart. He knows us, because he loves us. He knows every sky that He plans to paint above us, how many sunsets we will live to see, and every single breath we will take under the big, deep, blue sky. We can know God, and His unimaginable love for us, by reading His word:

“For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depth, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you’ the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
(Psalm 139:1-14 NIV)