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“He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.”
Psalm 147:4 NIV

Stars!

I love them. I marvel at their splendor, even following the phases of the moon–I never want to miss a full one. How awesome is our God to give us beautiful glitter in the sky!

The last couple of weeks the morning sky has been incredible. We have had clear skies, and the stars have been bright. There is one eastern star that is very bright. Every morning I look forward to seeing it on the eastern horizon. The other morning I decided I was going to name this particular star Kirk. I thought the star was very fitting for my late husband since Kirk lit up our lives and the lives of so many others. Our daughter Emily loved the idea, agreeing it is worthy of Kirk’s name.

But before WE named this star, God has already counted and named ALL the stars in the heavens. God made the heavens and the earth, and in doing so, He shared His creation with us. He also shared His most precious gift with us, His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. When Jesus was born, a star directed shepherds and wise men to His place of birth in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:10-11 NIV tells us,

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Can you imagine the stories that stars can tell? They have been around since the beginning of time. They directed humble men to witness the birth of our Savior.

Sometimes, I sit and wonder what Kirk is doing in Heaven, wondering if he can see the stars from there. But I take comfort in knowing that Kirk is there waiting for us. I believe this because I got to witness the moment he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. I was blessed to witness the most important decision that Kirk ever made. The day we were married, we both were children of God!

I am honored to say we enjoyed eighteen years of marriage. One thing I have learned in this journey is God is in control– I am not. I have to surrender my will to God and let Him take control of the direction of my life. I have to trust that He knows what’s best for me and let Him lead me. I have to trust that He will heal not only me, but my daughter Emily. Psalm 147:3-5 NIV says,

“He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.”

Even though God has numbered and named each beautiful star in the sky, one of them has the honor of being named Kirk in our house. The grief does slowly ease, but we miss him each day. The pain lessens and life resumes, but the hole in my heart will never disappear. I will look up at that star each morning and I will smile, choosing to smile and cherish all of our memories than to be sad and dwell on the loss. I know right now he is smiling and rejoicing in heaven singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy!”

Lord, thank You for giving us the stars to look upon and marvel at their beauty. For those suffering from grief, I pray they find enjoyment in just looking up and seeing Your incredible creation. I pray that healing can begin for ones that are calling out for Your help. You promise to hear our cries and will heal our brokenness. In His Precious Name I pray, Amen