Beneath the Starry Sky

Last Saturday Gianna and I slept in a tent for her first time at my nephews graduation party. I left the rain fly off even though there was a chance of rain because it was so terribly hot and wanted the circulation. It ended up being perfect because you look right up into the night sky. I fell asleep surrounded by the sounds of our family and friends, looking up into the stars as I prayed for them.

I awoke in the middle of the night with the moon so brightly shining in on us. In that moment I felt SO blessed, laying there with my little girl, God shining down on us. I felt so loved and protected and content. And I just can't believe this simple little painting, so perfectly captures the feeling I treasure in my heart.
: )

(And the little Moon poem I painted on ~ when I watched the story of Jaycee Dugard, who was kidnapped for 18 years. She said one of the things that comforted her was every time she saw the moon she would say that little poem her Mom used to say and remember the love her mom had for her. And during her time there she had 2 children, which is sad, but also was a huge blessing, because she loved them very much, found purpose and joy in taking care of them and teaching them, and her captor didn't touch her or them anymore after she had them. It is so amazing to me that she is alive and well and at peace after all those years, and I thought of her as I lay in the tent with just my little girl and the moon shining in.)

Tia

Have to get this sweet little story down. So simple but I keep thinking of it and know eventually I would just forget it and would be lost.

One evening last week I was just feeling a little blah. Jason wasn't home and I felt like getting out of the house. I'd already eaten but Gianna hadn't so I asked her if she wanted to go to Taco Bell. She said yes of course. But when we go to leave I realized I didn't have a carseat in my car, had left it at work after someone borrowed it.

She was so bummed and crying and whining. I called my Mom but no answer, thinking she'd come take us. I did NOT feel like riding my bike but I did. On the way there I prayed for God's Holy Spirit to be upon us and lift our own spirits and give us joy. And I said a couple verses like "this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it" and "the joy of the Lord is my strength".

As we were sitting there in Taco Bell and I was watching Gianna eat this little girl comes up to our table. She was maybe two and very tiny. She just stands there her face upturned smiling the biggest smile at us. I asked what her name was but she just kept smiling. She puts her hand on Gianna's arm and smiles up into her face and Gianna said 'awww I love her.'

Her mom was in line and said Tia get over here. Tia ran to her mom but then flitted back to our table. She was like a little butterfly. Just kind of moving around our table, huge smile and shining eyes looking at us. Gianna and I were giggling and talking to her and she never talked back but just danced around us and smiled. Seemed like it was for 5 minutes or so.

Her Mom finally came and got her and we said bye and God bless you and as they are almost out the door Tia runs back to our table and hangs out again. Her mom patiently for at least a minute stood in the doorway waiting while she delightfully lifted our spirits. : )

As they finally left we said a prayer for them that they would have the same joy in their hearts she had brought into ours. Her smile left smiles on our faces too.

And then we left and got slurpees and as we drove home had the most beautiful sunset, where it had been grey on the way there.

I am just so grateful that whenever I am down and pray to God and ask Him to be present and lift me up He answers. He did the same on Saturday afternoon when I got into a bit of a funk.

Psalm 37:23 ~ The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. (NLT)

He cares and He hears us!