Lift Your Eyes

Look to the heavens.

As a little girl, I believed my father could do anything. When my mother, siblings, and I returned from a visit to Miami to see my grandparents, we found our German Shepherd dog Beatles dead. (It was the late 1960s, hence the name J). 

Devastated, I clung to my mom, crying and begging her not to let my older brother David bury the dog. Daddy would be home in a few hours, and he would fix Beatles. My mother tried to explain Daddy couldn’t bring an animal back to life. Inconsolable, I insisted otherwise. Mom finally loaded us into the car and took us to town for ice cream while David buried Beatles.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve tried to imagine what God looks like. Is He a man like you and me? After all, He came down and walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. The Bible says we were formed in His image. As the Old Testament progresses, it becomes apparent God is more. Moses wasn’t even allowed to look at God as His glory passed by because of His magnificence and holiness.

As an adult, I realize God encompasses so much, trying to assign a physical label to Him is impossible. 

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. Isaiah 40:21-22

My earthly father has limitations I didn’t see as a child. He couldn’t bring Beatles back, and I eventually got over my hurt feelings. The dog’s passing served its purpose to teach me an early lesson about the finality and grief of death. 

Though our heavenly father has no limitations, we feel since He is capable of doing all things, He should do all we ask. Right? Whatever lessons might be involved in a “no” answer, we’re not interested. The fact that He might have a better alternative to our demands doesn’t matter when we’re staring down a problem. 

“To Whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy one.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name, Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:25-26

I encourage you to turn loose of the worry encompassing you today. Give it to God and trust Him with the answer.

Will you join me in prayer for those who are hurting and walking through trials?

·       Karen Redding in hospice care

·       A friend whose unemployment benefits ran out has now found a minimum wage job at a gas station/store. She praises God for that and all your prayers from last week! I’m requesting you continue to pray for her employment situation—that something in her career field will become available.

·       Several people requesting prayer for health problems such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and mental illness, as well as employment issues.

If you have a prayer request, please leave it in the comment section or email me confidentially. My contact info is above. 

I’d also love to hear how God is working in your lives, so please share your praise reports, as well. 

I first heard this song, "Starry Night" by Chris August a few years ago while attending a fall leaf festival in the North Carolina mountains. It reminds me that God is everywhere in creation. You only have to look around to see this is so. Every aspect of your life matters to Him. 

God bless,

Laura

© Laura Hodges Poole