Every Number Has a Purpose: The Living God Knows the Count of All He Made

Think about where you have seen this before. Counting people is a way of caring for them. A shepherd counts sheep so none is left behind. A mother counts her children at the park for the same reason. Careful counting is a small picture of God's careful care for us.

Watch for it today. When you spot it, tell someone what you noticed and how you knew. Here comes a new math idea. God is not careless with numbers. He knows how many stars are burning tonight. He has a name for each one. He knows how many hairs are on your head.

Nothing God made is an uncounted extra. When you count carefully, you are doing something like what God does. You notice each thing instead of ignoring it. That is why we count gently. That is why we count honestly. We do this with pennies, with sheep, and with people at the table.

Try counting something small today. Count the buttons on a coat. Count the steps to the door. Nothing you count is beneath God's notice. Practicing on small things trains careful eyes for larger work later. A person who counts faithfully in little things can be trusted with much. Try it with someone, then alone.