Have you ever laid back and gazed at the clouds? As a child I would find all sorts of animals and shapes in them. But what I didn’t think about at that time is who forms and holds those clouds up. And the power behind them.
Recently I went to Outdoor Campus, and I saw something I hadn’t even noticed before. In a children’s play area, grasses were planted in a circle leaving the middle open. A sign in front of it says: Cloud Garden. Lay back. Relax. Watch the clouds. I was strongly tempted to do it. I even glanced around to see if anyone was watching. The coast was clear. Now I wonder… Why didn’t I just do it? Why didn’t I just let that inner, excited child in me relax instead of wondering what others would think.
Anyway, this resting place of gazing at the clouds inspired me. I could hear God whispering:
Lay back.
Relax in My love.
Focus on Who holds up those clouds.
Can’t the same God who holds up those clouds and changes them in endlessly unique ways be powerful enough to take care of me? Can’t the same God who dissipates the clouds in the sky to reveal the sun’s full light also remove the stormy clouds in my life and reveal the light of the Son in my heart? Or even if the clouds remain, can’t the same God still warm and brighten my heart with His love?
Yes! He can! God’s got us! The same God who holds up those clouds with His Almighty hand holds us up. He has made us a special part of His creation that He will continue to care for. He has written, even engraved us, on the palms of His hands. He is not going to drop us. He’s got us.
“Look here.
I have made you a part of Me,
written you on the palms of My hands.
Your city walls are always on My mind,
always My concern.”
Isaiah 49:16 The Voice
When prayerful longings are not met
God’s Got Us
He still cares whether we get a yes or no
When troubling situations don’t change
God’s Got Us
His plans are higher than ours
When others don’t support or understand us
God’s Got Us
He empathizes and hugs us to His heart
When we worry about the hearts and lives of our loved ones
God’s Got Us
He brings miracles in His time and way
When fear for our country and world consumes us
God’s Got Us
He still has the whole world in His hands
When losses leave us desolate
God’s Got Us
He fills the emptiness with His love
When painful memories get triggered
God’s Got Us
He cries with us and heals us layer by layer
When others reject us
God’s Got Us
He will never, ever abandon us
“In the Hands of God”
By the Newsboys
Freed to Fly 
I would have done the same Trudy, not laid down and wondered ‘why not?’ afterwards! It’s hard to release ourselves in the moment and checking completely out of ourselves that hold us back! I needed your words this morning, that God’s got us! And picked the perfect song. He’s amazing. And His amazing-ness resonates through you too!
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Thank you, Lynn. I’m so glad you were encouraged. I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t release themselves into the moment. 🙂 I shouldn’t worry so much about what people may think. I imagined them saying, “Look at that crazy old woman acting like a kid!” I’m still a work in progress in that people approval area. I imagine I could have laid there, lifted my hands to the heavens, and praised God for His power to hold up those clouds! 🙂 And if people asked me if I’m ok, I could have said, “Sure! I’m just admiring the God who holds up those clouds and holds us up, too!” 🙂 In my dreams… May God lead us ever more deeply into His amazingness! Hugs!
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How I loved watching the clouds as a child! I have vivid memories of doing so, and now enjoy seeing cloud shapes with my granddaughter.
Thank you for reminding us that “God’s got us” no matter what. That’s so easy to forget when times are tough.
Blessings!
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Those are precious memories, aren’t they, Martha? Both as a child and now with your granddaughter. Yes, it is so easy to forget God’s got us when times are tough. As I wrote this, I was trying to convince myself just as much as you readers. May we daily cling to the truth that God’s got us day and night in the palm of His hand! Hugs!
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Trudy, I needed these words and this song so much today! Thank you for your encouraging words that lift our eyes to the ONE who will keep holding us. Your poem expressed so beautifully the Hope to hold onto Him no matter what is weighing us down I know that He is calling me to enjoy the REST of knowing that He’s got this, here and now, everything! Blessings and Hugs my friend!
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Thank you, Bettie. I’m so glad these words and song spoke hope to your heart. Yes! “He’s got this, here and now, everything!” May we rest in His safe and loving arms knowing the truth that His plan is to prosper us, not to harm us! Hugs!
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Isn’t it amazing at how much we don’t do because of worries what others would think. I’m right there too. Sigh. I’m so glad that God has us and that we can let go of trying to control everything (including what others think)! Now to do it. 🙂
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Oh yes, Lisa. Now to do it! I long to let go more of worrying what people think. I’m still a work in progress in that area. Yes, isn’t it such a comfort to know God has us always no matter what? May we learn more and more to let go and let God! Hugs!
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Beautiful truth, Trudy! Isaiah 49:16 is one of my favorite verses … so comforting to know that God has written us on his palms with ink that will never fade away! I will remember this phrase, “God’s got us,” in the coming days for sure! Hugs to you!
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Thank you, Lois. I’m so grateful you were comforted. That verse has often been a great comfort to me as well. May we remember God’s got us no matter what we go through in life or what happens in our families, country, or world! Hugs!
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I would spend time outside as a child laying on the grass glancing at the clouds in the sky, all the while unaware of Who it was who created it. This is beautifully encouraging Trudy. Thank you for the reminder that God’s got me!
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Me, too, Barbie. I’m glad we now are aware of our Great Creator and His awesome power. I’m grateful you were encouraged here. May we let go and surrender to God’s tender loving care for us and His all-wise plan! Hugs!
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Trudy,
I love how you almost laid down in the grass to look at the clouds but didn’t . . . I would have done the same thing! 🙂 Funny you should talk about clouds here this week since I was just the other day looking at the sky, thinking that it is never the same — always different, always beautiful and that the same God who colorfully paints the sky every single time the sun sets also gives us his presence and blesses us immeasurably, that it’s something amazing to consider. Gorgeous picture of the sky, too — I loved it! 🙂 xo
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Yes, the ever changing sky is amazing, isn’t it? My husband and I have sat out this summer and admired the layers of clouds and how as you say it’s always different. I love that God spoke to your heart of His presence and immeasurable blessing. The credit for this photo belongs to my brother in Arizona. 🙂 He is more concerned about people enjoying his photos than he is about them knowing he took it. 🙂 May God help us to focus on that truth that He who colorfully paints the sky also gives us His continuing presence and blessing! Hugs!
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Hi Trudy! Yes, when we are afraid for our country, God’s got us! There’s a lot of fear going on now, and it’s so comforting to know that God is with us. As you said, if he can sustain a cloud, sustaining us can’t be that hard.
I do like to watch the clouds, on a still sunny day, or even as they race across the sky on a cloudy day. All the different parts of nature fill me with awe and joy. And he loves us more than these? Wow. We are worth so much to him…something to remember when his plan isn’t very clear.
Blessings,
Ceil
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It’s scary, isn’t it, Ceil? It has lately been a special comfort to me, too, lately that God is with us and is still in control. Nature fills me with awe, too. At least when I intentionally open my heart to it. Your thoughts about how He loves us more than these and how we are worth so much to Him really comforts my heart. Thank you. May God hold us up and keep us in His way no matter what the future holds! Hugs!
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oh Trudy! I love this!! I am so glad you stopped to watch the cloud and hear Gods voice to you! Thank you for sharing all that he spoke and showed you! I love the poem at the end- So encouraging and comforting to me tonight! Thanks Trudy! with much love xoxox
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I rejoice that you were encouraged and comforted, Susie. I’m trying to stop and listen more to what God wants to say to me, but sometimes I’m jabbering to Him so much about my needs and wants instead. Or my head is pounding me with lies. I’m a work in progress… But He is so patient and tender with us, isn’t He? I love all the messages you bring from Him to my heart through your poems. 🙂 May we rest in His plan and listen to His voice of love and peace! Much love to you, too! Hugs!
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Trudy, your words spoke straight to my heart. I probably would have done the same thing you did . . . walked by because, “What would people think?!’
Who cares?
That’s the mindset I need to get to. I’m so thankful, that even in my foibles, God’s still got me. That He is still holding me, even when I don’t choose to enjoy Him for a few moments by lying on my back and gazing up at His clouds. Thanks for this reminder!
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Oh Jeanne, I so need to get to that mindset, too. I want to be more concerned about enjoying God than pleasing people. I’m so glad the words here spoke to your heart. You have encouraged me as well in reminding me that in spite of our weaknesses, God is still holding us. May we daily and ever more deeply let go of our people approval and rest in the truth that in God we are enough, we are approved, and we are so deeply loved just as we are! Hugs!
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A cloud garden. Oh yeah, I could go there and linger long … especially on days like today. You’ve helped me breathe deep this evening, Trudy. I needed that encouragement to go there …
Blessings on you, friend …
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Thank you for the blessings, Linda. I’m delighted that you were helped to breathe deep. We all need that, don’t we? May we always remember that in whatever situation we are in, God’s got us in the palm of His hand, and His thoughts towards us are towards good! Hugs!
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The cloud garden sounds like such a lovely idea- and I love the reminder that no matter what situations we face or what worries and fears are in our hearts God is bigger than it all and he’s got us. Thank you for this encouragement.
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I’m so grateful you were encouraged, Lesley. Life isn’t always easy, is it? May we daily remember that however big our troubles and fears are, God will always be bigger, and He’s got us! Hugs!
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He always does. Amen! Thankful!
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Amazing, isn’t it, Lux? It sure is a comfort to know He’s always got us no matter what. May we rest in His unconditional love and free grace! Hugs!
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Amen, Trudy! God’s got us! We definitely need the daily reminders, though, don’t we?! It’s so easy to get swept away by the tides of worry! Love my time here, friend! As always!!!!!
Hugs,
Lori
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Oh yes, Lori, it really is easy to get swept away by the tides of worry. I don’t know how many times a day I’ve been trying to remind myself that God’s got us. I’m so glad He is in control over everything. May we hand over all our worries and cares to God and rest in His will, not our own! Hugs!
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Trudy,
Love how you reminded us of this key…it is remembering who God is, how big He is that enables us to rest because He loves us so much. Love and hugs 🙂
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It’s so amazing that He loves us so much, isn’t it, Dolly? I need that daily reminder that we have a BIG God, always so much bigger than any troubles can ever be. May we always find our rest in Him alone! Love and hugs to you, too!
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Thank you for the strong, empowering words at the end. God’s got us! Amen! I used to love cloud watching as a child too. It shouldn’t matter that we are not children anymore just that we want to enjoy God’s creation.
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I’m so glad you were empowered, Mary. Yes, God’s got us no matter what happens! May we continue to be in awe of God’s creation and how powerful our Creator is! Hugs!
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Good reminders in your poem, I am going to print it off and keep it near my desk to be read when it feels out of control. Thanks
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Thank you, Wise Hearted. It’s hard to remember sometimes, isn’t it? May He help us to remember daily that He is always in control even when our situations feel out of control! Hugs!
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What an uplifting post and beautiful, powerful poem! Just the reminder we all need during these turbulent times. I also love the Newsboy’s song. Thank you, Trudy, for all you do to encourage our hearts and remind us of God’s goodness, His amazing grace and unlimited resources. Blessings and hugs! xo ❤
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Thank you, Joy. I rejoice that this encouraged you. Isn’t it just so amazing that God’s got us no matter what happens in our lives and in our world? It’s so hard to remember sometimes though, isn’t it? I hope you are getting the rest you need in every way. May we daily find our rest and our hope in His amazing grace and boundless love! Hugs!
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This is such a beautiful offering, Trudy! I started to comment last week and got interrupted. I love the idea of a cloud garden for the kids – and adults too! Funny how we need permission to do things that should come natural to us. I love watching the clouds. In TX you don’t want to lay on the ground to do it, lol, so I watch from the safety of my porch. I love your statement at the end, Important truths for us to remember. Blessings on your weekend!
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Thank you, June. I don’t lie on the ground anymore either. Though I wish I had done so that day. 🙂 I am so awed by how God paints the skies. Always different. Always amazing. Always displaying His power and glory. May we always remember that no matter what happens or doesn’t happen in our lives, God’s got us and His plans toward us are always good! Hugs!
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[…] A few months ago, a dear blogging friend, Trudy Den Hoed, wrote a beautiful blogpost about looking up and trusting that God is holding us. As the pain and anxiety rushed through me, the words of her post and the song she had posted were also running through my mind, bringing great comfort in the middle of the night. Click here to read her post […]
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