The Shooting Star

There are very few things that feel magical to me, but shooting stars, well, they are indeed exciting and magical. This week, I was blessed to see three shooting stars.

#LookUp

"Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing." ~Isaiah 40:26 NLT

The first was on Monday night. It was a quick, wait a second...was that a shooting star - why yes, yes, it was moment. The second one came just minutes later as I got a few miles closer to home, and this star was magnificent! It literally took my breath away as I gasped in awe. (I was talking to my mother on the phone, and she thought I had had an accident I got so excited) However, this one was huge; it was two stars in tandem streaking through the sky. I am sure it's one of the most stunning things I have ever seen.

Fast forward to tonight, and just as I neared the same spot on the road, I saw another shooting star. That's three this week! I get it; I know that for astronomers, this isn't a big deal; shooting stars are common and happen thousands of times a day whether we can see them or not, but to me, it's been a wonderful reminder to look up.

And look up, I did. I got home tonight, stared up into the sky, and scanned left to right, hoping I could see another glimpse of God's glory. I didn't see anything other than the usual stars and passing airplanes high in the sky - but what I felt was seen by a Most High God. I felt loved, and I knew at that moment that He was there with me. Not that He isn't always, it was just different - unexpected, but totally reassuring that He sees and He knows. For context, I know we all have struggles, challenges, illnesses, and hurts. I spend my alone time in the car processing all these things and talking to God as I drive. It's my version of therapy. Tonight, He showed up in an unexpected way and was the gentle reminder I so desperately needed.

I don't know what you're going through, friend; I know we all carry baggage - but I challenge you to go outside and just look up! If He can hang the stars and put them in place, He can calm our minds and ease our pain. He's right there, and He's always patiently waiting for us. As it says in Psalms 145, "The Lord is close to all who call on him..."