Exquisites Small and Great

“And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:16-18

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:2-3

“O Lord, how manifold are your works!
    In wisdom have you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.
Here is the sea, great and wide,
    which teems with creatures innumerable,
    living things both small and great.” Psalm 104:24-25

A starlit sanctuary with vaulted sky welcomed me early, when little else was visible. Those white sparkle-dots of splendor glistened and twinkled, the Hunter and Big Dipper among celestial companions overseeing the break of another magnificent dawn. Then day pulled back its curtain to display dozens more stars, strewn on the beach. A word, a shape, a myriad of images in mind, more exquisite jewels from the Creator’s hands. Hallelujah, Bright Morning Star. (Revelation 22:16)

Many exquisites small and great we miss when we get preoccupied with lesser things. We feel the burden of great responsibilities, but miss the greatness of God’s faithfulness, His amazing works through history based on goodness and love that He continues today. We get fixated on minutae and obsess to be perfect in picky details, yet fail to see God’s intricacies in the beauty of starfish bumps, to distinguish a bird’s lusty melody, to squeeze for a long, loving moment that precious small child. We let loose a poison temper, caustic criticism, and bitter huffiness, yet savor not the scent of sweet honeysuckle or the pungent taste of fresh basil or the liquid slaking of cool fresh water.

What will it take for us to look? What need we adjust in thoughtless habit to give enough attention to see? Is our sight too thick with cataracts of ho hum, lusterless living, where we expect nothing supernatural and glorious? He who has low or no expectations is never disappointed- but oh, what bliss is afforded when our Heavenly Father exceeds tiptoe expectations for all He is and does! Many beauties does He constantly display, many intricacies of His craft, whimsy, love, and power. He sprinkles our path, and our days, with stars to behold, and it is up to us to look and wonder.

“All things bright and beautiful, 
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, 
the Lord God made them all.

God gave us eyes to see them, 
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.” ~Cecil Frances Alexander (1848)

Lord, open my eyes, ears, heart, and mind to Your exquisite gifts each day, that my moments be littered with praise and gladness.