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Old Testament: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 (KJV)

New Testament: “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands…” Acts 17:24 (KJV)

Gospel: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14 & 16 (KJV)

In our hurried efforts to provide for our families, fathers some times fail to see God's world as our children see it. I recently received a new view of the world courtesy of my son.

From the time my son was born we were mega close. I used to carry my son on my shoulders and he absolutely loved it. In fact the higher Peter could be lifted, the more he liked it. I suppose he liked the view from my vantage point. As such my shoulders became his roosting place. I would challenge him: “Can you see the moon? See if you can touch it.”
 
Time passed and my son grew too large for my shoulders. Yes the sentimental side of me yearned for those earlier days but life goes on. Years later a birthday card was handed me which brought tears to my eyes. The caption read: “The moon never looked as close as when I saw it from your shoulders.”

Peter hadn’t forgotten the world from my perspective and he never tired of heights so it wasn’t a great surprise when he told me he wanted to fly. I use to tease him as he left for flight training. “Can I go? I want to go! I never get to go!”

Peter smiled answering: “Not this time Dad. Maybe we’ll go after I get my license.” I couldn’t resist the playful taunting but it stop abruptly when he gave me a different answer about two weeks ago. He smiled responding: “You can go this time.”

We lifted off the run way in a Cessna 172. It wasn’t the first time I’d ever been in a plane, but it was my first time in a co-pilot’s seat and it was the first time I rode in a plane piloted by my son. Honor and pride swelled when he told me I was his very first passenger.

My world perspective is often exclusively ground level mired in the confusion of concrete, asphalt and hurried masses. A transition occurred as I saw the world from my son’s perspective. Peter’s vantage point was above the trees and just below the clouds. He commented: “It looks different from here.” 

I agreed stating: “It’s beautiful.”

We circled our neighborhood and crossed the panoramic cedar hills where our home church sits. The sky was never as blue and the tardy autumn leaves never as brilliant as they were that day. The tear drop ponds sparkled like diamonds, and tributaries and lakes glistened like sapphire and faded blue topaz. I looked up and caught a glance of a day light moon, and if I had reached out the window, I think I might have touched it.

It’s beneficial to see God's world from our children's vantage point.