The live masterpiece over my head grabbed my eyes. This wasn’t a small portrait, this was big. This was the Texan sky in motion, arranging the clouds, the stars—painted by the moon.

The lower gulf clouds whisked onwards as if they were ordered to march to the horizon. Above the fleeting wisps hung a massive formation perfectly illuminated, as if it were a private spectators seat facing the moon. A cloud I imagined solid and steadfast, in my suddenly child-like eyes, yet one that could swaddle with softness. There I saw warmth and comfort, peace and beauty.

Forget a prayer closet.

I saw a prayer cloud.

Father, please, may I come up and sit down and talk with you on that cloud? I just need you, one-on-one.

Father, life gets hard here on earth. You did promise that to your believers.

Sometimes, though, and it saddens me to admit this, we get so wrapped up in our day to day struggles we forget to see all that you’ve created—like this prayer cloud that my eyes have been gifted with tonight.

Look, I even see a halo. A halo that reflects a prism of promise in the night sky.

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Psalm 148:3-4

How beautiful you are, Father.

I know. I don’t need a prayer cloud to visit with you.

You are right here. You have never left my side. We can talk any time. I don’t need to visit that heavenly creation to be alone with you.

But, just so you know, this universe you made leaves me wordless.

I hear him say to me, Sit down my child. Let’s talk. Right now. 

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:12