Thursday, October 7, 2010

Under a Starry Sky

Oh how I've missed you guys! I haven't just missed writing posts, but reading so many of yours. I have so much catching up to do.

Where have I been? Well, I've been to the doctor, dentist, orthodontist, and veterinarian. I've had things notarized, over-nighted, dry cleaned, and pressure washed. I've been grocery shopping, apple picking, and field tripping, and homework checking. I've been attending soccer and baseball games; tubing on the lake and camping under the stars. I've been kissing boo-boos and correcting no-nos. I've attended school meetings and Bible studies . . . and done lots of laundry. My exhaustion is only matched by my gratitude in having the best job in the world.

I've had so much to share, but it's hard to write on my blog at red lights in my minivan. But life should start to slow a bit now that our adoption paperwork is almost done. (I'll give an adoption update soon.)

So here I sit at my computer knowing I have just enough mental fuel to say a short hello before my eyes flop shut and my head hits the keyboard. I've had three little words that seem to have been the theme of my last few weeks that I think I have the capability of sharing before calling it a day.

A couple weeks ago I was picking the boys up from their Christian school. (All four kids go to the same school, but the boys get out at noon and the girls at 3:00.) I'm often one of the first moms in carpool--primarily because I've often been doing adoption errands that morning and just go straight to the school after, but also because I just love seeing Daniel's face beaming with confidence as he exits the building with his buddies and beloved teacher. That particular day his teacher stuck her head into my car window to tell me something before the carpool parade started.

She said, "Daniel said something beautiful today and I want to tell you before I forget." She continued, "Our lesson was about Cain and Able. When I finished telling the story about how Cain killed Able, then God provided Seth, . . . I asked the children what we can learn from this story. Then Daniel spoke up and said, 'GOD LOVES MERCY.' "

His teacher's eyes were moist with tears as she shared. So were mine. That an eight year old boy had grasped this truth--a truth that took me 35 years to understand--what a blessing.

Since that day, my thoughts have been punctuated with those three words--GOD LOVES MERCY. Like the responsive readings that we would have at my childhood Baptist church--my imaginary congregation's answer to whatever happened in my day seemed to be--GOD LOVES MERCY.

We recently attended a neighborhood camp-out. It's an annual thing where many families pitch their tents on a grassy common area for a night of fun. I remember attending last year wishing Daniel was here. As we sat together this year under a starry sky--watching a movie with Daniel snuggled up next to me, laughing out loud at the funny parts with his mouth covered in the remnants of a s'more--I couldn't help but caption this memory with "GOD LOVES MERCY."

Last week I drove on a field trip for Daniel's class. We went to a local planetarium to study the stars. I loved watching him. It was a treat to see him looking at the telescope with amazement and listening intently to the lady doing our tour.

Then we walked into the planetarium, took our seats, and they began to dim the lights. He grabbed my hand and whispered "I'm scared." And I whispered back, "It's okay. It has to be completely dark for you to be able to really see the stars."

As the darkness revealed the spectacular display in the dome overhead, Daniel's gasp of "WOW!!!" was the loudest one of all. Although he was no longer afraid, he kept holding tightly to my hand. And I was grateful that I was able to experience this with him, drinking in another precious moment with my sweet son, in awe of God's goodness in bringing him into our lives. And all I could think of was, "GOD LOVES MERCY."

Tonight I stepped outside for a minute. I just needed to fill my being with the cool night air of fall and take a look at the stars. And as I marveled at the display of magnificence with the melody of crickets in the background, I couldn't help but quietly sing "How Great Thou Art."

"Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works Thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed."

And I rejoiced in my great God and His love for me. I remembered all those times I said to Him "I'm scared" and His answer was: "It's okay. It has to be completely dark for you to see the stars." And I remembered that His goodness and His power is most evident during times of profound darkness.

In my last minutes under the canopy of diamonds, I thanked Him for being a God who loves mercy.

How great Thou art. How great Thou art.

Humbly His,
Kathie

8 comments:

Mom Of Many said...

What a beautiful post....and yes, it has to be completely dark in order to see the stars..and I love that Daniel understands that God Love Mercy and I love that you get to hold his hand so he is no longer afraid...and I love that he can sit under the stars with you at the camp out {I remember your longing last year for him to be with you}

How faithful God is....

And I've missed you...so don't be gone so long next time...even little snippets are okay, here and there....so we don't miss you so much, K?

Love you!! xo

The Tam Family said...

God must have been working on the hearts of adoptive parents everywhere last night. I wrote about how we had to lose everything to order to come to a place to adopt our soon to be daughter. Talk about total darkness :) Thank you for being a shining light in this world that makes me think why don't people care more. You are a blessing!

Love wins,
Renee Tam
5cajuns.blogspot.com

trustandobey said...

I love hearing about the firsts God saved especially for you to have with Daniel. So great....
Lisa

Kristin Ferguson said...

Oh I LOVE the line about only being able to see the stars when it's completely dark! That is so true and so profound in many ways! I can always count on being spiritually lifted up (and challenged) when I read your blog!

Thank you!

Annie said...

Wow. What a beautiful post! I love your words about the darkness and the stars and you are so right!! Thank you for your very sweet comment on my blog and now, I am so thankful that I have found your blog!

sierrasmom said...

The other night we got home late from a footabll game but I took Sierra out into the yard so we could REALLY see the stars!! It was one of those beautful moments that make you realize how blessed we are to have this little girl in our lifes and how God so moved mountains so this little girl could be watching the stars with her Mom. Oh and BTW How Great Thou Art is my favorite old time hymn!! Can't wait to hear more about your adoption journey!!!
Kathie

Oh and the other night Sierra asked me why we took her from China. It kind of caught me off guard. I said because the one thing she didn't have in China was a family. Her reply? " But Mommy, the kids were my family!" Made me certainly stop and think...I guess I should have said "a Mommy and a daddy"!! Out of the mouths of 4 year olds!!

junglemama said...

THis post is beautiful.

Jody Herpin said...

Glad you're back! Love your blog and loved "God Loves Mercy. Thank you for being my favorite Daughter-In-Law :)