A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his backpack with Chocolate Chip biscuits, plus a six-pack of Orange poppers and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man, sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his backpack.

He was about to take a drink from a Popper when he noticed the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a biscuit. The old man gratefully accepted it and smiled at the boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a Popper. Again, the old man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark the boy realised how tired he was and got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man and gave him a hug. The old man gave him his biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I saw God today. I had lunch with him.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? He’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”

Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, “Dad, what did you do today that makes you so happy?” He replied, “I saw God today. I ate Chocolate Chip biscuits in the park with him.” However, before his son could respond he added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

Then there’s the story of the young boy who wondered if anyone has ever seen God. He asked his teacher, who thought it was a good question to ask of his family. So he asked his dad, only to be told to ask his mother. His mother advised him to ask his older sister. His sister told him he was silly to ask such a question. The disillusioned boy gave up asking. But still he wondered. A few weeks later, on a fishing trip with his elderly grandfather, he decided to ask the question once more. There was a long silence – a very long silence as his grandfather looked around, as if surveying the ocean, the sky, the land. His grandfather let out a big sigh, looked at his grandson and said: “Mate, it’s getting to be such that I can’t see anyone or anything other than God.”

We can see God in everyone and everywhere – if we but look.

God is in the sun, the moon and stars, from the furthest to the nearest.

God is in the frothy, fluffy white clouds that float across the endless sky;

in the wind that blows, which way it wills.

God is in the stillness, when nothing seems to move.

God is in the thunder that rolls with explosive rumble; in the lightning that flashes with bolts of marvel. God fills the whole of the universe. Just like the air we breathe, that is all around us, even though we can’t see it, nor can we touch it, God is omnipresent – present everywhere and in everyone at the same time. For the spirit of the Lord fills the world, and that which holds everything together knows every word said. [Wisdom 1:7]

I have a vivid memory of holding my third granddaughter in my arms on the day of her birth, and of gazing deeply into her beautiful dark eyes. It was like looking into a deep, deep well and being drawn even more deeply. Later, when driving home from the hospital with my wife, I blurted out to her excitedly, “I just looked into the eyes of God! It was so beautiful.”

Too often we take so much for granted. We are filled with love for family; we are surrounded by the beauty of nature; good things happen to us; and yet how often do we pause and give thanks to God? How often do we look around and see God?

If our eyes would be opened we would behold God here everywhere, and be blessed in this vision.

I saw God today. You did too!

Happy Easter and treasure Life!