Looking Up

I’m sure you’ve done this at some point in your life…look up into the sky toward God in prayer, or concern, out of reverence, or with a feeling of helplessness. I was recently watching a chorus sing the national anthem before a football game. The camera showed one of the large linemen who was respectfully listening as he looked up into the sky with humble, sweet eyes as if thanking God for all He has done for this nation. There the stout man stood, televised in front of the world, while he innocently looked up toward the Father in an act of humility.    
 
It reminded me of my girls when they were small. They would look up at me with the most precious puppy dog eyes in need of something. Sometimes they would ask for what they needed and sometimes I just knew with the look alone. They didn’t know it, but it was a very vulnerable place to be. It was surrender to everything else around while they asked for their need to be met. My heart would melt. I would have moved heaven and earth to help them if I could. Sometimes I gave them exactly what they needed like when my youngest asked for milk to drink one day. I gladly opened the fridge and gave her the sippy cup. She politely said, “dit do,” (that’s “thank you” in 2-year-old language) and walked back to her cartoons. Sometimes I had to say “no” altogether, and sometimes it was “wait”, depending on what my wisdom or foreknowledge knew about the situation. Just like God does with us.
 
I imagine that’s how our Father sees us when we look up into the heavens at Him. His little children. Vulnerable. In need. Humbling ourselves. I imagine He would love to physically pick us up, hold us, and tell us “It’s going to be okay. I’ve got this.” I imagine He’s so proud we have come to Him. That we acknowledge we need Him. That we are praising Him. Seeking Him. Asking Him. What an amazing, beautiful place to be. Just you and Him. Caught up in a moment of stillness and grace. Embraced by His love for you.
 
The football player looking up that day had no idea how he would inspire me, but he did. That strong, bearded, tough, man humbling himself as he looked up into Heaven like he was a little boy. We may all think we are tough on the field of life, but we are nothing without the Great I Am. We need His mercy. We need His grace. We need His love. We need His wisdom. We need His perfect timing. We need His eternal home. Have you looked up at Him lately with your praise, dreams, love, and needs?
 
With the love of our Lord,
Celeste
“You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:12,13