This past weekend, some dear friends of ours invited us over
for dinner. It was a beautiful evening filled with delicious food, great
conversation and lots of laughter. There was even a friendly game of horseshoes
with my uber competitive husband (yes, he won…luck had everything to do with
it). It was an all-around great night, but something so sweet and precious
turned an already delightful evening into something I will never forget.
After we finished eating dinner, we were enjoying the cool spring
air and having a grand time catching up with our friends out on their patio.
The sky was clear of all clouds so every star in the heavens above were
twinkling brightly. While sitting at the table, I happened to look up and see
my middle child, Ethan, staring up at the sky with such wonder and innocence. He
had the slightest little smile on his face as he was singing softly “Twinkle,
Twinkle” to the stars. It was a completely unscripted and private moment for
him that turned into an eye awakening experience for me. I was so touched by my
baby boy’s innocence that I became choked up and tears began to prick my eyes.
I immediately had a sense that there was some lesson or reminder that God was
trying to drive home.
I’m a star gazer. There aren’t many cloudless nights around
here, but when there is and I happen to be outside, you can bet that I will be
admiring the stars. There’s something about looking up and feeling so small
that reminds me just how big and majestic God really is. I remember one evening
in particular last year that I was watching a meteor shower. As I was waiting
for another moment to “ooh” and “ahh”, I became very aware of God’s presence
all around me. I could “feel” Him say, “See what I have created for you? I love
you that much!” What an emotional moment that left a huge impression on my heart!
It was definitely one of those rare “Daddy/Daughter” moments with my Heavenly
Father. I wish those moments happened more often, then again if they did, I’d
probably take them for granted and I’m sure that’s the last thing God would
want me to do, especially since I take everything for granted to some degree.
With all the horrific events that happen every single day
(Most markedly, yesterday’s bombing at the Boston Marathon) it’s easy to lose
sight of the goodness in God’s creation. His divine fingerprint can be found on
everything we experience. We don’t have to be at the Grand Canyon or gaze upon
the Rocky Mountains in order to experience the awesome power that is God. We
can find Him in every flower, in every land animal, in every creature of the
sea, in every bird of the air and in every sunset. He is the author of all
life, and I am thankful that He puts breath in my lungs so that I can
experience this life, and ultimately, experience Eternity with Him.
I don’t think Ethan realizes it, but I believe he was
communing with God that night. I asked him later when we came home how he felt
in that moment. He smiled and said, “I felt happy and the stars were happy,
too.” We should all be like an innocent child and be in awe every time God
reveals Himself to us through His creation or through the teachable moments He
so often bestows upon us. I know He used my precious boy to serve as a reminder
for me to continue my search for Him in everything (and everyone) around me.
There are days that I just can’t seem to feel Him with me (even though He is
there), but I pray I never become so disconnected that I can’t look up at a
starry sky and feel loved.
But Jesus said, “Let
the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom
of heaven belongs to such as these.”- Matthew 19:14
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