100

99, 100! As I mentioned a few posts ago, my children are very proud of themselves once they can count all the way to 100. This tendency to number things, keep track, and celebrate milestones starts early and seems to be a normal, human trait. All of this to say that I noticed this is my 100th blog post!

I think we inherit this wish to keep track of things from our Heavenly Father. God Himself is a numbers guy. Right from creation He brings in numbers to keep things orderly: six days of work, one day of rest. In Psalm 90:12, God tells us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Some of the things God keeps track of are far more personal. Did you know that He records every tear that you cry? Psalm 56:8 says, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.” How precious to think that the God of the universe cares so much for each of us that He sees and records every tear we cry! But there is more. God also knows how many hairs are on your head. Matthew 10:30 tells us, “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.” Sometimes we think that God is distant and removed from our lives. These verses show that He is intimately involved and right there with us even as we sob or have a bad hair day.

I hope all of this encourages you as you move through your days, as you celebrate a milestone of your own, or take time to rest on a Sunday. As you listen to your children or grandchildren practice their counting, I hope it reminds you of God’s counting, and how precious you are to Him. As you take time one evening to enjoy the stars, I pray you will remember that God also knows how many of those there are and that you are far more valuable to Him than all the stars.

“He counts the stars and calls them all by name.” Psalm 147:4