A couple of weeks ago I spent seven days backpacking with some guys along the Appalachian Trail in southwest Virginia. The last night we were on the Trail, we camped at the Rice Field Shelter alongside a ridgeline that overlooked a gorgeous valley. We’d been spoiled by incredible weather the entire week, and this evening was no different. Clear skies with a beautiful sunset gave way to a cold breeze that moved out the high, thin clouds.
After dinner we got a fire going. Then one of the guys actually started Facetiming with his fiancée. (Seriously?) I stepped away after a few moments, far enough that there was no light pollution from the fire, and looked up at the incredibly clear sky, marveling at the bazillion stars I could see. Suddenly I realized that I could actually see the Milky Way!
“Hey, Splash;” I called out, “I’ve got the Milky Way!”
I heard him say, “Hey, I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” The other guy jumped up and came to join us as we stood there with our mouths hanging open, astounded by God’s creation.
To consider that the God who created all of that sky and all of those stars knows and loves me—AND YOU!—is something that will never cease to amaze and humble me.