14 The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing. Psalm 145:14-16

When I was in high school, our choir had a concert. In the concert there was a lengthy part in a song that choir members could wave and smile at the audience and just “ham it up” a bit. Of course I did my part to ham it up, and I mouthed the words, “Hi Mom,” to my mother sitting a dozen rows back. She smiled and nodded once. That’s it. Thirty-five years later that smile and nod is as real as it was then.

If you’ve ever seen track and field events on TV, you’ve seen athletes who wave to people they know in the stands, especially after the athlete has won. Amidst the thousands of fans, the athletes can spot their friends and family members.

We run this race called life in front of an Audience of One. Of course our friends and family are watching and cheering and loving too, but we so want to please Him.

We want His smile of approval.

We crave His adoration and support.

If we fall, He’s right there picking us up and dusting us off.

If we stumble, He’s there to encourage us to move on and keep going.

The Lord wants us to look to Him, to find Him in a crowded world. He wants us to see His smile of approval, and to hear His cheers. He desperately wants us to know that He’s with us every step of the way.

How do I know that?

Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so.