Our Heavenly Father Delights Over His Children

This story takes place in Alaska.

My parents, brothers, wife, and I took a trip there together, and one of our destinations was Point Barrow—the northernmost town in the United States. To get there, we took a commercial flight from Anchorage to Point Barrow.

I had been to Point Barrow years earlier and remembered that, on a clear day, you could see Mount McKinley (Denali) from the airplane window. Being born and raised in Colorado, I’ve always loved mountains, and Denali—the tallest peak in North America—is even more breathtaking than anything in the Rockies. I was really hoping to see it again.

On the flight north, I sat on the right side of the plane. Midway through the journey, the pilot came on the intercom and said those on the left side of the aircraft could see Mount McKinley in the distance.

I craned my neck across the aisle and caught a brief glimpse of it through someone else’s window. Even from afar, it was stunning. But I was disappointed—I had hoped to see it clearly from my own window seat.

Still, I knew I’d have another chance on the return flight. Assuming the usual route, I would again be seated on the side facing Denali. This time, I’d be ready.

A Simple, Honest Prayer

The morning of our return to Anchorage, my wife and I prayed together in our motel room. Among other things, I asked, “Father, please let me get a really good view of Your awesome creation Mount McKinley today.”  It may seem like a small or even silly request—but it was sincere.

Once on the plane, I found my window seat and eagerly waited for the mountain to appear as we flew towards Anchorage. But then, the pilot’s voice came over the intercom:

“Due to high winds, we’ll be flying a different route today. Passengers on the left side of the aircraft will now have the view of Mount McKinley.”

I was crushed. Once again, I was sitting on the wrong side of the plane. The one chance I thought I had was slipping away.

Right then and there, I whispered another quiet prayer:

“Father, I really want to see Your magnificent creation. If there’s any way… please let it happen.”

An Immediate and Personal Answer

Just seconds later, the pilot came back on the intercom with a surprising update:

“The winds have suddenly shifted. We’re changing course once more. Passengers on the right side of the aircraft will now get the best view of Mount McKinley.”

Then something even more unexpected happened. The plane made a sharp, steep bank, and when we leveled out, we weren’t looking at Denali from afar…

We were flying directly next to it which seemed to be no more than several 100′ from the top of it.

It felt like a dream. I could see everything: glaciers, cliffs, lakes, rock fissures and snow-covered ridges. We weren’t looking at the mountain from a distance—we were practically gliding over it, as though on a helicopter tour.

But this wasn’t a helicopter. This was a 737 jet, flying so close to Denali that my dad—a private pilot—later said:

“If the FAA ever found out how close that pilot got to the mountain, he’d probably be reprimanded.”

More Than I Asked or Imagined

That experience went far beyond what I had prayed for. I had asked God to let me see the mountain clearly. Instead, He gave me an up-close, panoramic view that was more vivid, more beautiful, and more personal than I ever could have imagined.

When we landed in Anchorage, everyone in my family was buzzing with excitement. We couldn’t stop talking about how close we’d flown to the mountain, how suddenly the winds had changed, and how incredible the view had been.

But quietly, in my heart, I just marveled at God’s goodness.

That morning in the motel, I had offered a simple prayer: “Please let me see Your awesome creation,  Mt. Kinley, Father.”
At first, the answer seemed to be “no.”
Then suddenly—and perfectly—He said yes, and He gave me far more than I expected.

A God Who Delights in You

Some people scoff when I tell this story.
They say things like, “You really think God cares whether or not you see a mountain? There are much bigger problems in the world.”

But here’s the truth God impressed on my heart:

Nothing is too big for God—and nothing is too small.  In reality, everything is small to Him.

What’s overwhelming to us is effortless for Him. He can care for the suffering, bring peace to a nation, heal cancer—and still take a moment to bless His child with a glimpse of a mountain.

Because He is a Father.
A Father who delights in His children.
A Father who hears every prayer, no matter how small.

Does God always give us what we ask for? No. But sometimes, when our requests align with His will, He answers in ways that are far greater than we could ask or imagine.

That day in the sky over Denali, I saw more than a mountain.
I saw the heart of my Heavenly Father—His nearness, His kindness, and His delight in me.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” —Psalm 37:4
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” —Ephesians 3:20

Invitation

If you’ve never experienced a personal relationship with Jesus, know this—He deeply desires one with you. Right now, you can call out to Him, surrendering your heart and asking Him to be your Lord and Savior. The Bible promises in Romans 10:13, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

We’d love to walk with you. Reach out to us—or connect with a trusted Christian friend or church—for encouragement and guidance in your next steps or for prayer.

PRAYER

Father, You are the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and yet You hold every detail of my life in Your loving hands. It humbles me to know that You see my heart, even the smallest desires that others might overlook, and You delight to bless me in ways far beyond what I could dream. Thank You for listening to every prayer, for guiding my steps, and for showing Your love in such personal, unexpected ways. You truly are a Father who rejoices over His children, and that fills me with wonder.

Teach me, Lord, to bring every hope and concern to You, resting in the truth that You know what is best and that Your timing is always perfect. Help me to delight in You above everything else, so that my heart beats in rhythm with Yours. And when You pour out blessings, let them draw me closer to You, stirring my heart to worship and gratitude.

For those who do not yet know You, Father, please make Yourself real to them. Show them the depth of Your love, and draw them into a beautiful, life-changing relationship with Jesus. Let them feel the joy, the peace, and the belonging that only comes from being Your child. Amen.

God is real, God is good, and He delights in you.