Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

Saturday, April 20, 2019

From Isaiah 55 and Psalm 42
From the heavens, the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats.

Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on. And bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place. Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God!

I sat up straight in the rocking chair beside Miles' bed. It was 7:40, and his cool night light turned red and played a bedtime lullaby. What was it? Mary had a little lamb? No. Rock a bye baby? No. But the rhythm and the melody sent me back to my own crib.

At last I had it. "Twinkle, twinkle, little star." This recovery seemed like a great feat to me, but I didn't ask Miles to help me celebrate. His nose has been stuffed up, and he was breathing quite regularly through his mouth. I knew he was asleep, but I still sat there with him, alone in the chair, back straight, breathing slowly, letting that old song sing to me.

"Up above the sky so high, like a diamond in the sky."

Slowly the sky grew dark, the night fell in on us. Jesus is somewhere else today, but still, I felt the Spirit of God hovering in the room. Far off on the other side of the house, rubber wheels on pavement, passing traffic, heading home? Long day's work is over. Soon it's time to sleep.

Andi and Aki sleep, on a plane headed to the Netherlands. The aircraft cabin is dark, the tulips are blooming and it's nearly their tenth anniversary. Their good friends wait to welcome them. The jet speeds through the darkness, headed toward the other side of the world. Outside their windows at 33,000 feet, the silent stars go by.

My Transforming Community buddy David took us for a boat ride on Lake Austin this afternoon. Together we've completed six retreats. We passed the lake houses of several famous people. I thanked God we were not famous, and that our families are full of love. David's daughter laughed and said that he was 6/9ths Transformed. We have three retreats to go.

Miles fell asleep in the car on the way home, after a supper of cheese and crackers, tangerine slices and dried seaweed. (That sounds pretty good to me.) Last night he gorged himself on sweet potato, rice and salmon. He was quiet when we lifted him out of the car. Tomorrow Miles will miss his mommy and his daddy. He loves them so. They made a video for him to listen to before they left, and a chain of lovenotes, one per day, for the ten days till they return.

I have always cherished the Easter Vigil passage from Isaiah 55. The earth turns, the rains fall, the sun shines, and the crops bring us life. God's word never fails.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder where you are."

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Whatever work we do, Lord, it's always in and on the world you made for us. So, Lord, as we live our lives, establish the work of our hands. Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Devotions Archive

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

Saturday, April 20, 2019