Starry Night

I have always loved a starry night.  When I was a little girl, growing up in Iowa, I had a view of the heavens that I sadly took for granted. On clear nights, I often looked up at the stars blinking back at me and tried to find the brightest one so I could make a wish.

Now, as a woman of faith, I still gaze at the stars with the same wonder as that girl from years past. The stars, with their simplistic beauty, have been a constant reminder to me that I belong to a great and wondrous God. For, in His great might, the Lord made the stars. (Genesis 1:16)

And when I take them in, and consider the vast number of stars visible and not so visible, I am certain that He is mindful of me.

My past.  My future. My plans. My mistakes. My pain. My disappointments. My triumphs.

Last week, I visited my parents' home in Iowa. One dark, starry night, I lay on a blanket with my son, Jack, and took in the beauty of the clear summer night. Without the illumination of city lights, we were able to vividly experience God's splendor in the heavens. Together, we found the brightest star, made a wish, and searched for constellations as we talked about Jack's dreams for the future. Truly, it was a night I shall hold close to my heart forevermore.  

In the years ahead, it is my job to guide my son so that He might find his way in the dark and take his place in God’s Kingdom. Therefore, as a mother and woman of faith, I am wise to commit myself to pray as we plan.  One of my biggest prayers is for God to reveal Jack’s individual gifts and talents so that we might develop them for the glory of the Lord. There is no need for Jack to conform to who I imagine him to be, for God wove and spun Jack together for His purpose alone.  So, I watch to see glimpses of what specific gifts lay within my son. Then, I offer encouragement and invest in his life in tangible ways. I give Jack my time and my interest as we continue to discuss the desires of his heart. Additionally, we plan together with God as we explore the options before him.  With each step forward, we are mindful that “in his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps”. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

—Heather Arbuckle

Heather lives in McKinney, Texas with her husband and three beautiful blessings from Heaven. Currently, she is awaiting the release of her first book titled “Joy In The Morning”. You can get to know Heather on her blog Hearts For Him.