A few nights ago I went outside for a walk and Sam followed me out to look at the stars. When he looked up and saw that the clouds had different plans, he grumbled. “Why is it when I don’t want to look at the stars, they are shining bright, and every time I DO want to look at the stars, they are not out?” He turned and marched back in the house, mad at a universe that was obviously conspiring against him.
As I continued my walk, I thought about Sam’s problem and wondered how the stars might answer his indictment. I suppose they might very well say, “Why is it, Sam, that every time we go to the trouble to shine, you never even come outside and look up?” Sam’s problem, I thought, was that he expects the universe to conform to his desires instead of just enjoying the blessings whenever and wherever they are provided.
The thing is, it’s not really just Sam’s problem. It’s my problem too. It’s a problem we all have. We spend our lives complaining when the stars don’t shine on us. Maybe instead we should be looking up expectantly every chance we get, and praising God for every twinkle.