Day 166: 6 months, a closed book.

today marked the end of one chapter & the beginning of another. i started a journal on easter sunday this year - the day before my flight to south africa. this afternoon, another chilly/rainy day, i filled the very last page. it put me in quite the reflective mood, if you will. & as i read back through some of the happenings of the last 6 months, i came to a conclusion: anne frank & i would have been great friends (not what you expected me to say, huh?)!

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature & God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, & it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” -Anne Frank

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” -Anne Frank

“Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” -Anne Frank 
the Father communicated that we are the light of the world...so WE are called to both...
- DEFY the darkness - be different (do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind -rom. 12:2 & cast off the deeds of darkness & put on the armor of light -rom. 13:12)
- DEFINE the darkness - if darkness is the absence of Light, then by our very presence as believers we will set before the world a stark contrast

PRAYing that no matter where the Lord has allowed you to be planted, you are defying & defining the darkness around you by the very Light of Christ that is in you!