Look to the Heavens

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens; who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

A few days ago, I had one of those nights when sleep would not come. My body was tired and ready, but evidently my mind wasn’t.

After lying there for a couple of hours, I got up and just sat in the darkness and gazed out at one of the most glorious night skies I think I have ever seen. I felt as if I was being given a glimpse into the heavens, for I could not imagine a more breath-taking sight. The stars were twinkling, sparkling, shining as I have never seen them shine before, and each of the constellations stood shimmering in perfect formation in the darkness.

And as I gazed at the scene before me, I was in complete awe of its immense beauty. It was almost as if the heavens were putting on a show for those of us who were fortunate enough to be awake at that hour to see it. And words seemed simply inadequate to express the sight that was before me and the wondrous work of our Creator’s hand.

Last night before I slept, I again looked out at the heavens as I thought of what a special weekend it had been. This scene wasn’t quite as amazing as before, but yet it was comforting to know that “God in all His power and strength had once again brought out His starry host”.

Just sitting in the silence and relishing in the beauty before me and its quiet peace, I began to think about the last few days. Kel and her family had come home for a couple of days, and we so enjoyed hiding and finding eggs, doing a scavenger hunt, and just talking, playing, and enjoying our time together. Watching the boys running around and being so happy brought pure joy!

They left late Saturday afternoon to get ready for the Easter bunny and for their church service on Sunday, and the house seemed much too quiet! We missed their cheerful voices and sweet spirits. Amazing what life and laughter children can bring into a home!

Yesterday, was a much quieter day with just the two of us. We attended a wonderful church service with the most beautiful music and uplifting sermon, and what a beautiful Easter Day it was!  My heart was “full to the brim” with the blessings of life. And there is more to come, with the anticipation of going to visit Scott and Emily later this week! It has been much too long since we have seen them, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to do so.

As I sat thinking about our family, I was so grateful that they were all sleeping in their beds, secure and happy, with no crisis or despair filling their minds and hearts with fear or concern. I was so grateful for the peaceful rest they were receiving, and I thought of how very blessed we are to have times of such quiet sleep that refresh and revive our minds and bodies.

There was total and complete silence, and I felt such calm. I realized how grateful I am for the quiet around us and for the blessed lives we have. How much we take them for granted!

I don’t know where such thoughts came from, but I began thinking of how thankful I was that I could hear no screams, no shouts, no sounds of gunfire or bombs exploding, no cries for help or pleas for mercy. I thought of how different this scene before me was from the sights we know are being played out in different parts of the world.

We don’t understand why, and yet at that moment, at that time, with the heavens opened up before me, I knew that no matter what happens around us, if we believe in His love for us, we can always feel secure in His loving presence. I pray we can always remember that promise. In the silence I prayed that those who are experiencing these difficult times will also know of  His love and mercy.

Our God created the sight before me, and just as He is in control of the heavens, He is in control of all creation. He can call out the stars to shine before us around the world at the appropriate time and in perfect formation. He knows each of them by name and “because of His great power and mighty strength not one of them is missing.”  If our God knows this, then He knows about our world and what is taking place. He knows of our concerns, fears, and sadness that such chaos, loss of life, and senseless violence exists.

But gratefully, with this Easter season, came the reminder that our Savior and Lord will return, and we pray that when He does, all will come to know Him as we do. He holds the world in His hands, not only the stars and the heavens, but all of creation and of the times to come. How grateful I am that we can always rest in His love and grace.

 Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the Easter season we have just celebrated and for the gift of your Son. Thank you for the beauty and majesty of the night sky and of your world. We are humbled by your greatness, power, and strength. May we never forget that no matter how troubled our world seems that you are in control and your plan for all of mankind will be fulfilled. Thank you for our loved ones and for all the blessings of life. Amen