reset 06/23/99
"Look over there! There's a rhinoceros eating a snake," a small voice proclaimed. "So, I see a dragon spewing fire and smoke across the whole earth," said a second. "Where is it? I wanna see that," returned the first. As the older child pointed up and out through the window, the younger sibling fought with his seatbelt in order to get a better look. "I don't see it," he said impatiently. "Why not, it's right there," rebuked the older. "See, there's the head with its bumpy scales, and his tail stretches beyond the sun," my daughter said convincingly as she dragged her finger across the window. "Oh, I see it now," exclaimed my son, "but did you see my rhinoceros?" I took a moment from my driving to glance skyward, as I wanted to see a dragon and a rhino eating a snake too.
Looking for cloud patterns is an exciting pastime, especially for kids in the car. I can't tell you how many times the previous story has been played out. Often, one makes an extraordinary find, and everyone else wants to see it for themselves. Now, all don't always agree on the shapes they see. Two can look at the same set of clouds and see something entirely different. It's a matter of perspective -- frame of reference. At the same time, we can pass hundreds of cars with occupants not playing the game at all. These only see that there are clouds in the heavens -- just clouds, nothing more.
People are shaped by the course of human experience. Souls are redeemed by the willingness to see God's outstretched hand to help us through each of those experiences. Some float through life without seeing the imprint of God, as He carefully molds His most precious creation, us. It is possible to have joy through the pain, the tears, and the laughter. The Bible teaches about perseverance, submission, and victory. It also teaches us to accept trials, because God disciplines those He loves. This book documents a few of my own life shaping experiences. Some may read and just see coincidence. I choose to see a divine purpose in character-building events, interwoven at the right time and in proper sequence.
The experiences I document are open to interpretation -- yours. You may only see a story, the clouds. Alternatively, you may see a pattern completely different from mine. Regardless, just as in cloud watching, I'd like to describe for you what I see, take you by the hand over to my frame of reference, and patiently point out the detail from my window on the world. Whether you agree with me or not is not really critical. What is important is what you'll see when you return to your own window on life. You may just find the pattern you see over and over again is one of God's love for you.
Please visit another workbench:
Randy's e-mail connection
reset 06/23/99