Shine Like Stars!

It was a beautiful end-of-summer evening.  Tim was playing football with the boys in the backyard, and Amy and I were walking around the grapevine, snacking on the last bit of sweet goodness. 

Before long, it was bedtime, but Tim gathered us together as a family in the middle of the yard.  As he often does, Tim began pointing out the wonders of creation to the kids and soon they too, were commenting on the beauty they saw.  Kobe loved the pink clouds God had made in the sky off to the west.  Corey said he was thankful that God had made our family and that we all loved each other (aww.. melt my heart!)  Amy and Tyler chimed in with their own observations and I sat back, drinking in the moment.

I stared up at the sky as we continued around the circle, talking about the splendor we could experience right here in front of us.  The sun had not yet gone down so to my disappointment, I couldn’t see the stars.  Then the thought crossed my mind, “The stars are still there, I just can’t see them.”  Hmm..  Hadn’t thought of that one before!

Since then, I’ve continued to contemplate this new (for me) concept.  In our world today, “being a star” is the goal of many.  We want to be noticed.  We want to shine!  But to be a true star, means to be constant… faithful… full of light… to shine - even when nobody’s watching.  A star remains true to its calling even if a million people are lying back in the grass enjoying its beauty… or when those same people are rushing about their day completely oblivious to its beautiful shining existence. 

Our instinct is to only “shine” when people are watching, but being a true star, means continuing to pour out the light that is within both day and night.   

Monday mornings spent doing laundry or packing lunches aren’t very glamorous, but shine on, sisters!   Planning meals or going to work day after day gets old and boring, but shine on!  The mundane appears meaningless in the light of day, but you have a calling!  You’re called to shine - even when no one is watching! 

The real beauty of each star is this – God made it special and unique.  And He hasn’t forgotten where He placed each individual star.  He knows them all by name.  Today, let His light fill your life so you can shine brightly to those around you – whether they notice and appreciate your beauty… or not.  Shine on!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.   Philippians 2: 14-16a  NIV

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