Wishing on stars....

About a month ago, the night was absolutely beautiful. I pulled on my boots and grabbed my iPod and earbuds off my shelf and ran outside. The weather was perfect. It wasn't even windy. Which is rare living out here in the country. But the very best part? There were stars. So many stars. 

Now, I'm kind of weird but I'm all into wishing on stars...((which normally turns into a little prayer more than a wish)) 

I jammed my earbuds in, breathed in the night air, and took off up the small street in our neighborhood. It was refreshing. Now, I had been texting a friend that night and by the time I had reached the middle of the street, that friend suggested that we both should make a wish at the same time. So even though we were at two different places, we each spotted the brightest star up there in the dark sky and figured that we were seeing the same one. I took a deep breath and stared up at that bright star. 

We both made our wishes. 

My friend wished for the best year. That this year would count and that this year would be the best one so far. 

I wished that I would be able to realize what my good things were and that the REALLY good things wouldn't end.

A few days prior, I had been thinking about two phrases.

"You never know a good thing till it's gone."

And...

"All good things come to an end."

I typically overanalyze EVERYTHING. So I decided that I really don't like these phrases. I mean...I don't want to realize all the good things that I have when they are gone. That's just depressing. I want to be able to really know what the special parts of my life are an appreciate them for as long as I can. We've only been given a limited time here on earth and that time is ticking. Every single second counts.  I don't want to wait for those final seconds to realize what my blessings are or were.

Then, I figured that those truly good things couldn't possibly come to end. Maybe SOME things will end. Not every single friend we make in our lives will be there forever. But that doesn't mean that some can't stick around. Some of the blessings that God gives us are meant to last for as long as we have here. 

So. I decided that no, I will not wait until it's gone to know a good thing. 

And no, I will not let ALL good things come to end cause I don't think that's the way it works. 

As I looked up at that star, my wish turned into a small prayer.

"Dear God, I pray that...I would be able to realize what these truly good things are that You have given me.. I want to be able to appreciate them with the time You have blessed me with. And I pray that when You show me these good things, that they would not end just like that. But that they would last for as long as You have planned. I just...really want to be able to live out this life to the very fullest and appreciate everything that You give me."

When I saw that my friend had wished for the best year, I thought it was pretty cool cause if this is going to be the very best year...maybe I'll be able to find some of those good things. Maybe I'm realizing them now with each passing day. All I know, is that I plan on listening to God and trusting in Him to show me all of the important blessings and good things that He has in store for me. 

I slowly walked down the street back to my house. I was pretty excited. I wanted to make each remaining second I had count. And I still do. I want to be sure that I always live like I'm dying. Live every second to the absolute fullest.

So.

I stopped walking. 

And I started skipping. 

I skipped all the way back home with the stars shining above my head and a smile on my face.