The Stars and I

Today I learned about the power of surrender.  And about how much I have to be thankful for.  God reminded me that life is a gift--each, single day of it--and He's giving me the chance to live it by His strength.  Whatever my worries or wants are, there are plenty of blessings to outweigh them.  It seems that these lessons come best in the presence of suffering, and though it wasn't my suffering this time, the lessons are still meaningful and life-changing.


I ran across a poem I wrote a few years ago as I considered the painful story of another friend.  I was looking at the stars one night, thinking about the personal great controversies all of us must face--when facing our own pain, or bearing the pain of another...


Quiet darkness, safely hidden
The stars my company
they look down, I look around
To see a world of suffering

Life and beauty, as real as dawn
Here, but never lasting
Your design, but so maligned
the shadows always shifting

Ever-after blocked again
No reasons ever found
Just desperate prayers we dare send up
And tears that sprinkle down

You are here, World Redeemer
We never walk alone
But the stars and I are silent screamers--
This world is not our home!

There is always hope.  No matter what, there is always hope because of Jesus.  We have so much to be thankful for--in this life, and in our real Home.