The God Cloud

Big Sis is a spiritual little being. She's a philosopher by nature, always having some deep thought with a worldly or spiritual theme. She has lots of thoughts and questions about heaven regularly.

One day last summer, there was a beautiful sunset with a pretty orangeish/pink sky. The kind that lights up the horizon and makes you sigh and think "all is right with the world." We were outside playing and I showed her "Look Sis!!! How pretty is that sky? I'm certain that is where heaven is. I'm sure Grandpa Jack lives there."

Big Sis, having an elephant memory (like her mama), of course remembered that moment. As we were in the van, driving to the sitter's house last week, Big Sis pointed to the gloomy gray-colored winter clouds and said sadly "Mama, the God cloud....IT'S GONE!!!" At first, I didn't remember what she was talking about, but then she explained. I then told her that the God cloud was still there, but just changes color at different times of the day or year.

That answer seemed to suffice. But you could almost see the wheels in her head still turning. As she watched some poor, way-to-cold birds flying (who most certainly missed their cue to fly south for the winter a few months ago), she said, "Mama, birds are so lucky." I responded, "Why is that?" Big Sis answered, "Because they fly up to heaven every day and see all the heaven people, and then fly down to earth and see all the earth people."

Hmm....I could see how she'd arrive at that conclusion since she literally thinks that on top of all the fluffy clouds is a village of people, playing harps and eating ice cream all day. She also thinks that when people in heaven go to sleep each night, their feet stick out of the "God cloud."

Sometimes I'm honestly not sure how to respond to her deep thoughts, since obviously I don't know the specifics about heaven yet from personal experience. "You could be right G" was all I managed to come up with this time.

But she still was not satisfied. "Mama, dogs and cats go to heaven when they die, right?" She was specifically thinking of her Nana's sweet 60-pound mutt, Kimmie, who had to be put down last summer. I told her that I definitely think dogs and other pets have a special place in heaven.

Then, Big Sis smiled and her eyes lit up. "Mama, wouldn't it be so cool if we were looking up at the God cloud and saw Kimmie's little head poking out, saying 'hi' to us?" In my head I was surely thinking "um...no...that would actually be the creepiest thing to ever take place," however responded with a warm, "yes sweetie, that would be really cool."

I love the way her mind works. Love it. I love her gentle spirit and how insightful she is. I am thrilled that she knows heaven exists and is excited to one day meet Jesus there. It is such a privilege to see the world through the eyes of a child.