Casandra Martin

It started when my children were little. While getting teddy bears situated, dolls positioned, and sleepy heads nestled into pillows, we would quietly whisper our “more thans.” I love you more than race cars. I love you more than playing in the sprinklers. I love you more than toothpaste. I love you more than ice cream. Giggling, we would try to outdo each other’s “more thans” as we said our I love yous for the night.

Finally, when the sun was crawling behind the edge of the earth and the sky would begin to darken, I would pull back the curtains and add one more “more than.” I love you more than all the stars in the sky. Look. Count. Study them. You will never reach the end. Little eyes strained to count the sparkles and finally come back to my face. Smiles, followed by hugs and prayers, filled the room as they went to sleep with just a glimpse of how much they were loved.

Counting stars as a measure of the immeasurable isn’t my idea. God started it. When God wanted to help Abraham catch a glimpse of His faithfulness, power, and desire to walk in relationship, the Lord pointed Abraham to the stars. “And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” (Genesis 15:5) Can you imagine how Abraham stared at the night sky? The stars twinkled in constant reminder of the immenseness of God’s presence and love. The stars sparkle with the same message for you.

My Jesus Resolution today is to count stars. I know I can’t, but the fun is in realizing again how big God’s love is. The stars serve as soft lights in the night sky, but more importantly, they testify to the extravagant grace of the One who hung them. Tonight I want to go outside and stand in wonder at a God who loves me more than all the stars in the sky.