I remember my Dad telling me a story of something I did when I was three. My dad, a recently retired Major in the Air Force, had invited a Lieutenant Colonel over for dinner.

I was sitting next to this man when I noticed something. I pointed to his arm and asked him why his skin was a different color than mine. When my Dad later told me this story, the impression I got was that he had been embarrassed by my question.

Reflecting on it now, I’ve come to understand that my Dad wasn’t so much embarrassed that I asked the question as he was by not having an answer. My dad had respect for humankind and had a diverse friend group. But my question caught him off guard.

That story popped into my head today, and I realized I have an answer for my three-year-old self.

I’ve recently started doing some online watercolor classes. I am learning about colors and the role using different colors plays in creating something beautiful. And the question I asked so many years ago came back to me. But this time, it was not overshadowed by embarrassment but instead filled with understanding.

Why would someone have a different color skin than me?

People have all different color skin because God is an artist. He has a whole palette of colors available to him, and he will not be limited to one color. When you ask a small child their favorite color, they often respond, “All of them!” God answers, “All of them,” too.

I can imagine my three-year-old self asking why he didn’t make purple, pink, blue, or green people? And I would tell myself it is because God saved some of the colors for sunsets and flowers and trees.

God is an artist who not only created color but knows how to use it in the most beautiful ways. Imagine how the world would be if we looked at each person, whatever color their skin may be, as a masterpiece created by Him!