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Monday, December 17, 2012

Connecticut...A Child's Carol ..God's Answers in the Darkness



"Away in the manger
  no crib for a bed..."


Beep. Beep. Beep.

"Ohhhh...." I pulled my covers over my head with a groan. My alarm was screeching somewhere in the darkness.

"Work," I thought as I struggled to reach the "Snooze" button.

"Brynn!" The name emerged from the back of my sleepy consciousness and I sat up with a smile.

Today was not a work day. Today was the day I pick up my daughter from Tennessee. I rolled out of bed with enthusiasm.

Like the cold floor beneath my feet, however, a thought suddenly chilled me. I pick up my daughter, but some will never see their daughters again.

"Be near me, Lord Jesus,"

How does one deal with a tragedy so deep, so penetrating as the tragedy of Connecticut? My heart tightened in my chest. I stepped out into the darkness with my car keys.

I lingered for a moment under the darkest morning sky. Sailors know this time. This is when they search the sky for their leading star.

It's called the "Morning Star" and it shines the brightest at our day's darkest point. My car rumbled down the gravel lane.

"Please help them, God." I almost said it out loud, but I remained silent as I searched the asphalt for the glimmering direction of the Morning Star.

"We all need your help."



"I ask you to stay
Close by me forever
and love me I pray..."


I wanted to hear God's answer. The morning was still. There were no distractions.

"I am, and always will be...here." God seemed to be speaking to me in the Morning Star's light.

"Bring me your anxiety. Bring me your pain, confusion, even bitterness...even anger."

Starlight streaked the pavement and danced above the stubble of the cornfields. My car sped on.

Fayetteville was silent under the Morning Star. I glanced at the homes of so many of my sleeping children, children I consider my own.

I thought of Jesus' love for the children. He told adults to let the children come to Him. He said the Kingdom of Heaven belonged to the children.

I remembered Jesus said even I could be His child if I turned from the darkness and followed Him. His light can save. His light embodies love.

The shimmering water of the Kaskaskia glinted on the old girdered bridge. God danced in the light of the bridge girders as He gave me my answers.

The final verse of the children's carol I'd sung with the Fayetteville kids flashed into my mind. I sang it softly as the dark fields began melting in the light of dawn.

"Bless all the dear children
in thy tender care


...and take us to Heaven
to live with thee there."

Into the hope of day, under the shelter of the Bright Morning Star, surrounded by the brightness of dawn's early light...I drove on.

Bible Verses:



"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 11:25-26 New International Version


"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,"2 Corinthians 5:1-2 New International Version


Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version


"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10 New International Version
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid."John 14:27 New International Version




"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).


So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed,
for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you
with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)


These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (KJV)


"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away."Revelation 21:3-4 (KJV)

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." --2 Corinthians 4:17-18 New International Version







“I, Jesus, have sent my angel
to give you this testimony for the churches.
I am the Root and the Offspring of David,
and the bright Morning Star.”  Revelation 22:16
















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