Like the Stars in the Sky, So Are the Graces

When the habit of seeking the gifts soaks deep within and looking becomes living, gratitude for the small graces is like gazing at the twinkling little stars against a black sky.

At first the cares of the world make the stars hard to see. The way light pollution in the city washes out the brilliance of the stars, so too the joy-stealers of worry, fear, entitlement and selfishness keep the stars of grace hidden from our sight.

But seeking the face of God, being changed by Him, casting off our sinful nature – these are the journey into the country where the light pollution fades away and the stars not only become brighter, but they become more and more numerous.

We can no sooner count the graces of God than the stars in the sky.

But the joy of gratitude living makes it nearly impossible to stop the counting once we’ve come this far.

God helped me see many new stars this week. And of course, I counted them. #746 – #762

• waking up my daughter every morning; her hair tussled about, covering her face; her smell
• ice cold water, right out of the tap
• puppy twitching in his sleep
• sun glinting through the wind-blown pine tree

• Buying a ticket!; husband’s encouragement to go; making “maybe” plans with a dear online friend
• signing up for a photography eClass {I’ve been wanting to take a class locally but haven’t found anything. This class looks like a great place to start.}
• being asked by a friend to pray; emails and phone calls that draw us close
• learning to wait
• birthday celebrations; peanut butter frosting; my boy; fourteen years being a mom

In hope,
Shelli