Head in the Clouds
Suspended by invisible strings, the clouds frolicked on a June afternoon. Under Iowa sky, the girls and I played along.
We stretched out on the deck and focused eyes Heavenward. What do you see? I asked the girls.
Lydia saw a snail, then a chef’s hat. Anna found a butterfly and a fluffy, lopsided heart. The clouds tumbled quickly, morphing into new shapes before floating out of view.
And then the question came: “Mommy, what do you see?”
***
What do I see in my clouds?
Back in 1970, John Fischer wrote a song that said if we’ve seen clouds, we’ve seen God:
Have you ever looked at the sunset
With the sky mellowing red
And the clouds suspended like feathers
Then I say you’ve seen Jesus my Lord
Do I see God in the clouds? I mean, do I really see a Savior in these clouds that blow in and darken days? For most of us, our clouds are our sufferings: our sickness and doubt, our loneliness and sorrow.
But if I don’t look carefully, I might miss the miracle in the clouds:
“… clouds are the dust of His feet.” — Nahum 1:3
***
Sometimes, I catch a glimpse of Him there in the clouds, after they’ve morphed then floated on by. Sometimes, I miss Him altogether.
And there are times I’ve seen God more clearly in the clouds than under bright sun.
There’s a name for these moments of closeness to God — where you feel His presence in such a profound way that it can change your life. They’re moments called “mountaintop experiences.”
Here’s the beautiful irony: I’ve had the most life-changing “mountaintop experiences” on my cloudiest days. Someone else might try to tell me those moments weren’t on the mountain, but in the valley. But this I know: my feet were planted on the Rock of the mountain.
Maybe a mountaintop experience has nothing to do with how clear the air or how bright the day — but how close you are to the clouds.
Clouds are the visible evidence in our lives that God is passing by.
He makes the cloud his chariot… — Psalm 104:3
***
Outside just now, the clouds have released life-giving rain to parched fields. It’s been almost a month since the last rain. It’s too dark now to see God in the clouds. But I can hear Him in the rolling thunder.
What have I to fear in the clouds?
Look, he is coming with the clouds. — Revelation 1:7
***
This post is part of Robert Hruzek’s What I Learned From … a Mountaintop Experience group writing project.
Photo: Clouds over my home.
My first visit and indeed a delight. You may wish to visit: http://www.apogeeart.com for I too look skyward and live in the glory of God. Thank you for all you do.
Best,
Rose Marie Raccioppi
APOGEE Poet
Now my eyes will turn heavenward to look for the clouds, for my eyes long to see Him, my ears long to hear Him and my soul longs to feel Him near.
Shalom,
Denise
Stumbled across your blog and really liked it. It's rained more than usual where I live not only in nature but in the lives of friends. I, too, know that clouds can bring you very close to God, and pray that in the storms my friends are experiencing they will be drawn ever closer to Him. I've just started blogging and off to a slow start. I'm not doing it for others as much as for myself. A need to write down some of the things that are stirring within me. Thanks for your inspiration. Blessings,
Stumbled across your blog and really liked it. It's rained more than usual where I live not only in nature but in the lives of friends. I, too, know that clouds can bring you very close to God, and pray that in the storms my friends are experiencing they will be drawn ever closer to Him. I've just started blogging and off to a slow start. I'm not doing it for others as much as for myself. A need to write down some of the things that are stirring within me. Thanks for your inspiration. Blessings,
I was just watching the clouds few days ago and it was interesting how fast it changed its shape as it was blown by the wind. And that reminded me how awesome and powerful the Lord is! By looking through those clouds. It got darker and then, on top of it was the bright rays of the sun partially hidden but the rays still beamed through.
Thank you for sharing this awesome post! God bless.
Beautiful post and I loved that verse from Nahum (not sure I've ever read it before!)
~ Wendy
A mountaintop experience on a cloudy day!! What a way to express the revelation of Truth in the midst of trouble unveiled by God to our hearts. I imagine the picture in my mind of the mountaintop poking its head above the clouds when I think of this. I can see it in my mind now! A mountain range covered by clouds with a few peaks arising. Those are the people that have looked to God in the midst of the clouds and found his truth to bring them life.
This was great Jennifer!
Christy
I just love this post! Thanks for sharing!!!
Feet planted…yet close to the clouds.
Thanks!
Monica
John Fischer? And here I thought you were a youngster… but I find you quoting the great old songs of my day…
Beautiful words, yours. God does His most magnificent, and perhaps most eternal, work in us when His light is more intensely contrasted. Another great moment with your girls, showing them this light.
Such a beautiful post. I love what you wrote about the clouds being God passing by. It has been in my "cloudiest" days that I have felt him the most, as well.
As usual, I have been blessed visiting you today!!
Just this afternoon my son talked me into sitting in the backyard grass and looking at the clouds. Well, maybe I should have put it as "talked". There really wasn't much arm twisting involved.
We spend too much time looking around us in despair. Much better to look up and wonder.
Loved this, Jennifer.
Clouds bring rain. Then miracles shine through rays of sun, as a rainbow appears.
Thank you, Jennifer! I loved everything about this. You really have a gift for looking at things in a new and refreshing perspective. My fave though is…"Maybe a mountaintop experience has nothing to do with how clear the air or how bright the day — but how close you are to the clouds."
Amen!
Moutain top visits with GOD indeed!
They are breath taking and beautiful. My eyes and my heart look upward…
Bless you in your sharing.
Your visit Jennifer,
"…dark nights…the rescue…Light-bearer." Confront and Resolve – at the heart of life's fare…
Post of Monday, March 23, 2009 – a perspective shared: "The Night"
Know you are the celebration of HIS love.
I just came across your post on CWO. Thank you for sharing. It has been extremely cloudy and rainy in South Dakota and I really needed to read your post.
we're doing Croc Rock next month. the kids are excited already – as usual for VBS.
Love the clouds and I especially love that the verses you used fit perfectly to make your point.
Well done, friend.
Love it.
There was a time when I was feeling very depressed, I was at work cleaning a house, I sat on the stairs and look out the window and there I saw a cloud in the form of God’s face.