...He lay there, breathless, beneath the canopy of stars. His thoughts overtaken by the glorious riches that adorned the night sky. As all life slowly faded into a deep sleep, songs of hope rocked him in a most mesmerizing lullaby. Each night a peace welcomed his visits, inviting with them, a consuming cool breeze that joyfully danced around his heart. For He was wooing the one He loved. His eyes closed every few seconds to take in this moment, and breath in His fragrant presence. It was here, that he was reminded of promises that were once whispered so deep into his soul. The sweet melody echoed from within, "Look at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them...so shall your offspring be." (Gen. 15:5) The magnitude of this promise released into the midnight sky, blessings, illuminated with love, adding a brilliant beauty and wonder, forever, to the stars above.
Cambodia's children are beautiful. They have this brilliant sparkle about them, immediately exposing a subtle but yet striking beauty. As I watch them in passing, my heart grows within me. We all look back as we pass each other, smiling, then they fade from my sight as quickly as they came. Each playfully going their own separate way. As I continue home, their joy and beauty somehow, remind me of the stars. Upon reaching the off-white iron gate leading into the orphanage, my thoughts collide with the love story that is played out to all the world every night.
As the evening bides farewell to the day spent and the left over heat dissipates into the cool evening, the sky is clothed in a rich purple that slowly transends into a dark midnight, a color palette all unique to Cambodia, as the night, once again, is born. Not a cloud in the sky, as I stare up into the night. And with the same romancing whisper that longed to speak of love and faithfulness to Abraham, a singing grace fixes my gaze, and thoughts, on the stars, once again. In them, a reflection of His beauty. Giving light to the night, and illuminating His promises.
For they are each treasures, and as thoughts of them adorn my night sky, and end the day, I pray that each child I meet, each child I see in passing, each child I teach, and each child I live with, may come to truly understand the depth of the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:18) and to "shine like the brightness of the heavens...[shine] like the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). Being those that light up the world and fulfill the promises spoken so long ago to Abraham.
Then, "as the darkness is passing...the true light is already shinning" and whispering goodnight (1 John 1:8).
