I don’t look up at the stars.
Sometime when I was a kid I remember sitting around a camp fire with a bunch of guys telling stories, burning marshmallows within an inch of edible, and poking the logs with a stick until the last scrap of wood was nothing but cold gray charcoal. I had to be about ten, away from home, in the wilderness of East Texas. Coyotes howled. Trees creaked. Winds moaned through the thick black all around me. And I wasn’t scared with all the other boys in sleeping bags surrounding me.
Until I looked up.
Away from the glow of the city the sky took on new proportions. I could see every one of the billion stars floating in the endless sea of black above me. I could feel the curve of the earth.
And I was suddenly aware that I wasn’t all there was, that I was only one kid on one of millions of balls hurling through infinity.
I felt smaller than small. I felt overwhelmed and I’ve been scared to look up ever since.
I saw this little girl today as we were walking to another child’s home. Her feet were bare. Her blanket was a newspaper. Her mother was nowhere in sight.
I knelt down to take her picture and somehow, through the hum of the city around us, she saw or heard me and turned. She stared into my eyes and I was under the stars again.
With the glow of my life 10,000 miles away – the to do lists and schedules, finances and errands, all snuffed out by the distance – perspective snuck up on me again.
And I’m in awe again of the beauty and profundity I’ve too often missed back home. I’m reminded how small I really am.
I’m just one man among six billion on one of millions of balls hurling through infinity.
My emotions are screaming look away! – It’s too scary! – but I’m not, because I need to be convinced all over again and often that I am small: I’m not too important to stoop and speak to a child. I’m not too busy to hear their stories. I’m not too perfect to learn from their faith. I’m not too grown up to laugh with them. I’m not too strong to cry for them. I’m not too broke to save one more.
I’m just small enough.
If you’re not, these stars might help.
Carole Turner says:
Your killing me..guess that’s the point.
Thank you.
rachel says:
today i was dropping a friend off at the car shop. as i waited in the car, i looked across the street at a restaurant. this particular place had some outdoor decorations that included faux, flashing, lighted palm trees (gleaming through the indiana snow).
and i thought to myself,
how much wasted money is being spent to light those ridiculous trees? how stupid can we really be? i mean, is this for real?
and my very next thought was of your kids in uganda.
and i cried for america. and i cried for myself.
Joan says:
Just wanted you to know that Dave
and I are praying for you and the
rest of the team. May God keep
all of you in His gentle care
jmom says:
incredibly beautiful
Grovesfan says:
They are indeed stars. God created them and they will shine. Beautiful stars indeed.
Beth
Sarah says:
This is an incredibly beautiful and moving post. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of what is truly important.
Praying for you all and for Uganda.
Jenny 867-5309 says:
Those are beautiful pictures…what incredible memories you are making!
aaron says:
the pictures speak.
the smiles speak.
leann says:
and our church argues about where to build the next building and whether to use pews or chairs. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Kelly S says:
All I could think, was “What is that little girl thinking, as she sits on the curb?”
WHERE is her mother? Why is she alone?
Keep up the great work, we read daily.
Kelly in Michigan
P.D. Ross says:
Stars………..Awesome……..Beautiful
Thanks!!
Holly Prosser says:
I wish I were there with you all! Our little girl is in Uganda, and we were able to meet her a few years ago. She amazes me. Such courage, heart and trust is within her, and I am brought to tears every time I recall her hand in mine as we walked together. You reminded me today of all of those emotions. I need to be reminded. Thanks.
annie says:
I echo Rachel’s comment. And I have those moments every single day. To be aware of the waste and indulgence in our country is painful and cause for disgust.
Fran says:
WOW! Please know that I’m praying for ya’ll everyday. I pray that through you and the others that a difference will be made. I feel so blessed and so grateful that I sponsored a child (first time compassion-er) and I’m thrilled that my little self is making a difference.
Blessings~
Shawn says:
Stars! Amazing. We are like the stars. How can we shine on society throughout the world? I’m glad I sponsored a child when you were here a couple weeks ago. I also wanted to let you know that I have shared this website with several of my co-workers, and they are at least talking about Compassion now! Maybe just maybe, with a little prayer, they too will make that move to sponsor a child or two themselves. Keep the pictures and stories coming Shaun. They are very touching and make me tear up each time I see and read your blog. My heart is touched a thousand times over. Thanks for sharing! God bless the work you and the others are doing to get the word out!
Joy Argow says:
You have captured God’s heart through your photography. Thank you for sharing… thank you for being there… thank you for alerting the world. Isaiah 58
Rachel says:
I agree with Carole. You’re killing me. It is amazing.
Thank you so much, Shaun. I’m loving that we can follow you guys through all this.
mikki says:
this is an incredible journey…thanks.
“He placed the stars in the sky and He knows them by name!”