COLORFUL SKIES

‍“God must’ve been a painter,” was a line we heard in a recent movie we watched. Our family thoroughly enjoys watching movies as one of our family night activities. We create a movie list before summer break and the winter holidays, hoping to dive into at least a few new stories as well as an old favorite or two, afterward discussing the characters, themes, and cinematography. It’s certainly one way to learn and appreciate the art of storytelling.

‍However, our favorite way to spend time together as a family is to get outdoors into the real artistic canvas of God’s creation and organically produce our own family lore as we interact with one another and the wild world around us. This summer, as we’ve intentionally crafted opportunities to visit National Parks and local beaches, we’ve been awestruck by viewing the expanse of the Milky Way, the heights of jagged mountain peaks, the vibrant colors of clouds at sunset, and the warmth expressed between a mama and baby moose. What joy to be able to praise the majesty of God together in these moments! 

‍But family time isn’t always filled with gorgeous sunsets and squeals of joy when you spot the soaring bald eagle. People are messy, cantankerous (especially on long car trips – can I get a witness?!), and selfish at any given time; plus vacations can bring out the worst in us all. This summer I don’t know if you’ve had to listen to “Baby Shark” on repeat just to keep your toddler entertained, or have decided to relax your usual screen time rules with your preteen, but we’ve all made some adjustments in our parenting at stressful times to try to keep the peace among the family.

So to avoid an outpouring of colorful language when vacations start feeling constricting, we need to turn our hearts toward gratefulness for God’s grace and provision. It also helps to notice God’s colorful skies, or the enormity of the ocean. It’s hard to remain in an attitude funk when you are looking out at an expansive view.

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. Psalm 96 ESV

In this psalm of praise to God we can take a deep breath, and even if we aren’t in front of a jaw-dropping view, we can imagine God’s creation singing for joy! We are hugely thankful for the beauty God exhibits along the California coast – we don’t have to stretch our brains too far to conjure an image of His artistic prowess. 

‍Parents, we need to express our gratitude toward God out loud so our kids can hear. And once you get comfortable praising God for the beautiful sunsets, you can stretch yourself to thank God for Jesus and His mercy toward the attitude you expressed ten minutes earlier when the car was feeling just a tad too small. Then show your kids the next step of inviting God the Holy Spirit into your space to fill you with an outpouring of love for one another. Ask God to help you create a fresh start of singing a new song, and often, before you know it, God has calmed the stormy family environment and provided an opportunity for you to start a new outlook going forward.

‍Indeed, God certainly is a painter – His creation testifies to that truth! But the greater joy is that He is our redeemer in Jesus and the Spirit who sanctifies us so that we can appreciate the gallery of people and stories while we journey here in this world.

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Grace and peace,

Annikki

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July Epic Kids Unit Verse:

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