(I am not one of those people that can out right lie to my kids, even if it about Santa or the Tooth Fairy. I will say something that lets the imagination work but I just cannot lie if they ask me outright. They know that and use it against me.)
So, I told her as honestly as I could. "Well, if I ever see a shooting star, I wish on it. I don't recall if even one hasn't come true. So, if it doesn't work, don't tell me. I don't want to know. Let me wish on my stars and leave me be." She looked at me very skeptically after we got inside, shrugged her shoulders, said,"OK" and went to her room.
The more I thought about that, the more I felt thankful that I never had to worry if my wish was coming true. My wishes sound a little more like prayers than wishes but I send them to the One that can deliver. I don't HAVE to wish or hope that a shooting star has some mystical powers that takes that wish with it and delivers it to some phantom being as it's last act before it goes into oblivion. The thing is, I know the Creator of the stars. He knows when that star has shown its brilliance for the very last time. He knew the exact second that it died and I believe He smiles at me when I send it off with a secret wish.
We say that we believe in God, but do we really? We say He can do anything but how do we really know? What have we done that shows that we believe that? How easy it is, as those little phrases, verses and cliches just roll off our tongue. How do we back it? What has happened in our own life that shows other people that we have the "proof"?
I have been through a time where I said all the right things and I sympathized with whomever I was speaking with. It wasn't until my own hard time came that I really believed in what God could do. I still try to control the situation, work myself to death and don't ever admit it but think that God is too busy or has people with "real" problems to worry about. After everything I have been through, I still think that sometimes. I have to make myself stop, turn around and look at where I have been. I have to remember where God walked with me, carried me and sometimes drug me along the way. Bless me, but I don't make it easy. I think before a guardian angel can retire, God sends them to me for six months to where I can help them earn their retirement. I imagine those angels walking into the celestial choir after their bout with me, scooting into their row. One nods their head at the other with a knowing smile on their face and says, "Stacy?" The other one, nods back and says, "Yep." He knows my problems, weaknesses and dreams. It is up to me to ask. It is up to me to let Him show me who He is and work through me.
I have seen some teenagers with very good singing voices sing in churches. Different group, same song but the church comes unglued. What is the difference? It's the "proof". They have lived a life where God proved that He was real. They have lived in a situation or had no one but Him. The words were the same. The music was the same. Four part harmony echoed throughout the building. The difference was, they didn't wish on a star and hope it would be okay. They knew it would be because they believed in a God that showed up and they allowed Him to work in their lives. Even when all they could do is cry in hurt and confusion, He heard their cry and answered their prayers. Those singers knew that He not only knows when that star fell but He knows their name.
"He counts the stars one and all.
He knows how much sand is on the shore.
He sees every sparrow that falls.
He made the mountains and the seas.
He's in control of everything.
Of all creatures great and small
He knows my name,
Every step that I take,
Every move that I make,
Every tear that I cry.
And He knows my name,
When I'm overwhelmed by the pain
And can't see the light of day
I know I'll be just fine
Cause He knows my name.
I don't know what tomorrow may bring
I can't tell you what's in store
I don't know a lot of things
I don't have all the answers to the questions of life
But I know in whom I believe. "
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