Shining like Stars

One of my favorite aspects of life in Southern Wisconsin is the beautiful scenic drives between towns.  There is nothing better to turn my frown into a smile than a drive through the countryside.  Typically, I enjoy doing this in the daylight when unending farmland, farm and wildlife, rivers, ponds, and trees are in view.  Recently, as I drove from Fort Atkinson to Janesville late in the evening, I had the joy of driving with only my headlights and the light shining down from the multitudes of stars above.

As a city girl of late, it is rare to see stars due to the artificial light that drowns it all out.  However, out here, the stars are free to shine their beauty for all to see.  I couldn't help but think of the students that God has given me the joy to work with and my recent prayer for them which can be found in Philippians.

'Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky  as you hold firmly to the word of life.' - Philippians 2:14-16

I am so excited to come along God's children as they pursue higher education and to equip and encourage them so that they are filled to the brim with the love of God and equipped to let their light shine before their fellow students, professors, and co-workers, thus impacting the world with more of His beautiful light and the Kingdom, Jesus died to bring about.

There is something incredibly beautiful about viewing the lights from the stars.  While the sun allows all of us to dwell in the day which is fantastic, the stars shine bright offering beauty and hope amidst sometimes overwhelming darkness.   The love from a follower of Jesus can point the way for others to seek Him out wherever they are currently standing.

May we all, wherever we stand, shine brightly like the stars above.

Dawn always comes

Dear Child of the Living God:

As a human, we are all too familiar with the dark nights of the soul.  When all seems so dark due to pain, illness, fear of the unknown, or any other plaguing pain and not a friend's comforting word or anything else will do.  Please let me encourage you to do but one thing:

Seek the companionship of your Heavenly Father whose love for you never will fail.  He will meet you in the darkest of places.  Though you fear to take a step - call on Him for He has promised to never leave you.  Do not rely on the distractions of technology, people, or even your vivid thought life to numb your mind from the pain.  Mind numbing is not the solution but only serves to lengthen the darkness.  Though it may feel like death to sit in the darkness - do that and call out to the One who knows you inside and out.  It is in those dark places that He will bring a comfort and a peace that can steady your heart and renew your strength.  He has promised to never leave you and He keeps His word.  Allow Him to shed His Light in the darkness.  You will soon rise and meet the day.      

~Written as one who has fallen along the darkened road and risen yet again time after time for He who has promised is Faithful.

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."  - Psalm 23 v 4