The Ultimate Artist

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

What is man that You visit him?

For You have made him a little lower than the angels,

And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;

You have put all things under His feet," Psalm 3:6-8

When the boys were young Dana would always draw our attention skyward when outside playing or working in the yard or driving down the road around town or on vacation; just anytime we were in the great outdoors. There is beauty to behold, you know?

He would exclaim, "Look guys, at the picture Jesus drew for us today!" We would all stop and gaze at the beauty and I always got chills knowing that God in all His creation really did draw us an amazing picture for the day just waiting for us to take notice. I would always be sure and thank Him out loud so the boys could hear me. We began to do a collective "thank You" as they caught on.

The boys loved this game we played (everything is a game when your little). I continued with this when we would be on our drive to school in the mornings and afternoons or whenever we found ourselves without daddy. As they got a little older they began to take notice without our guidance. They would echo, "Look Mama (or Daddy) at the picture Jesus drew for us today!" We would spend a few moments staring; gazing; oohing and awing over the masterpiece.

The Author of this Psalm was doing the same, taking notice of God's beautiful handiwork. He is directing our attention to creation and ultimately the Creator.

This brings me to my wondering thoughts...why were we on God's mind when He created earth? Why does He come to us during our greatest need? Why did He send His only Son for a wretch like me? Why did He trust us to care for the works of His hands?

LOVE. It's the only answer I find in the whole of the Bible.

"For God so loved..." (John 3:16)

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you..." (John 15:9)

"We love Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

"...because of His great love with which He loved us" (Eph. 2:4)

Love moves us. It draws us to the ones we admire. We have a desire to lavish our loved ones with gifts and favor to show our love for them. That is one way our Lord showers us with His love. And boy does He!

Girls, I want to encourage you to take time and notice God's magnificent creation all around you. Give thanks in an audible voice when you do (He loves to hear our praise).

Your children need to hear your praise also to the One who created them and the world they live in.

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Eph. 5:2)

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, Your beauty is divine! I am in awe of Your creation! Forgive me when I rush through out my day and don't slow down to enjoy the work of Your hands. I love You, too! Amen.