The Multitude of Stars
December 2022
When I was wrapping the Christmas gift for Florence and her husband, whose chemotherapy is not progressing very well in the past month, my spirit felt down and heavy, as though the colours on the wrapper were telling me that his death was imminent.
I ripped it away and asked V for help to pick out a new wrapper. Finding something that is more cheerful, I felt better. Like there is light, hope, not death, this time.
After rewrapping it, I tied a white wooden star around it. But when I wrote his name on the star, the same sense of dread returned! That star reminded me of a wooden cross put on a tomb. I despaired and wanted to throw it away.
I started to pray for him. I begged God: if it is possible, if you would, can you extend his life longer? Especially with the troubling years ahead, for his wife and his children. I remember my joy when my daughter got married, so, at least until they graduate, and settle down and maybe even when the grandchildren arrive? Can you give him once again your kiss of life?
I carried on praying until I felt the heaviness lift at 1.55 am.
The Christmas Star
V led my eye to a small white box in my study. I opened it and found several golden star ornaments given to me at the Dior shop in Paris a few months ago! I had completely forgotten about them. I happily tied one over the wooden star.
30 Dec 2022
A few days after our Cobs Christmas party, Florence told me she was drawn to the two stars attached to their gift. She did not know the process of why I had tied two stars to their gift. She sent me these messages:
First, Psalms 149 (triumphant Praise) and then, Psalms 150, which she had taken a picture from her bible.
I saw the word “crescendo" in verse 6!
“Let everyone everywhere join in the crescendo of ecstatic praise to Yahweh!”
I had given her husband a book for Christmas, “Live Life in Crescendo”, written by the late Stephen Covey (author of a famous book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”) and his daughter, published posthumously.
Florence texted: “Feel we need to enter the coming year with triumphant praise of God.”
Then she sends me a picture of the two stars she has placed in her home, the golden Christmas star over the wooden one.
The Lion of Judah is Watching our Gates
She continued:
“I was meditating on these verses for a few days before you gave us the star on the 23rd Dec. When I came back and placed the star, I told Louis to look at the star! There’s the Lion of Judah with the gates!!! That’s the verse God was saying that He will strengthen the bar of your gates !!!!” in Psalms 147:13-14:
“For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls. He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat.”
Thanks be to God for affirming His promises with your gift of the star 🎁💝”
I thought that is good - our nation will see peace and we will not starve.
Then I thought about the stars again and remember the verse for last year:
“Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky,
and those who lead others to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.” Daniel 12:3
V: “The three wise men followed the Christmas star and found baby Jesus in a manger. Those who lead others to righteousness (to Christ) will shine just like that Christmas star forever.”
Perfect Score
V added : " When you were a child in school, when did you get a star?"
Well, when I get everything correct, 10/10, perfect score. The teacher would paste a small paper star on our book with glue. I remember the glee every time I got that star, usually for Spelling.
Then, I suddenly remembered Grace’s picture of the evil doors - the time on the clock also shows 10/10.
YY said it is John 10:10:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Pillage, murder and destruction - all the marks of war. Only when the Lord, our Lion of Judah, watches over our homes and our city, will our lives be safe. Not only that, we will live abundantly despite the turmoil and danger.
9 Jan 2023
At our Monday morning worship meeting, I was fascinated by the Chinese characters for the word “Ebenezer”.
“以便以谢”
I am sure there is more to it but V led me to notice the multitude of stars in the sky instead.
He then said to me : “Don’t worry about the coming war Sara. There are many, with perfect scores like you, who lead others to righteousness, shining like stars. When the time comes, others will see the stars, if they follow them, they will bring them to safety.”
I recall a vision many years ago on a visit to China, where I saw European missionary families in Victorian clothes, all packed and ready to go, saying that they are handing over the mission to the Chinese people now that they have come. Then they flew into the sky and became shining stars.
Hallelujah! Thank you Lord. Oh how glorious will that day be, when all the stars of great men and women, and children, past and present, come together to worship you.
In One Voice
To One Sound
Praying and Worshipping as One
Leading your people to the gates,
And see You waiting there.
Our Ebenezer ❤️
And the song ends at that very moment with:
“Jesus I love you.“
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