Looking Up

This morning we arrived early for church so I decided to continue my reading in Psalms. (Before you think I was being anti-social, I was actually being culturally appropriate.) Psalm 19:1 stood out to me - "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork."

When we lived in nw PA, we were renting a home that was part way up a small hill. What I soon realized was that the whole area around us was on an even bigger hill. As a result, I could see miles away on a clear, sunny day. Sometimes I could even see the glint of the sun on cars traveling on the next state highway. This view also afforded one of my favorite parts of living there - beautiful, nightly sunsets. I could prepare dinner or wash dishes while witnessing various hues of pink, orange, and purple as they mixed and swirled, constantly changing. I loved those sunsets.

When we moved here, I was disappointed to discover that although the kitchen has a large window, the only view it gives me is our car parked in our landlord assigned (and spray paint marked) parking space and some bushes that partially shield the wall of our neighbor's house. That's my new view. Not all that inspiring when your hands are in the sink, quite honestly.

Of course there are many other visual changes with living in a post Communist, central European country. Sometimes the view leaves you a little wanting. Sometimes the view makes you turn your head in embarrassment when you realize just what that spray paint depicts. Sometimes the view discourages you as you see teens brazenly smoking cigarettes at the park or on their way home from school. Sometimes you don't want to look down at the dirt, but you have to or the less than smooth sidewalk will have a new victim.

And that's when I have to look up.

No matter what may surround me, no matter how dirty or how run-down something may be, I can always look up. I can look up to the one Who has called us here for help and strength during the difficult times. I can also look up to see His beautiful creation.

The sky is just as beautiful as it is in PA. The clouds dance as the wind blows them across the sky. Powerful thunderstorms sprinkle the summer nights with flashes of light. The same pinks, oranges, and purples color the clouds like cotton candy. And the stars and moon we can see through our upstairs sky lights on clear nights are the same we can see anywhere else in the world.

Anywhere.

What a beautiful gift the Lord has given us in the sky.