I’ve been getting in my head recently. It’s the end of February, and some years this time of the year just gets to me. Winter is a beautiful season, yet like every season, it comes with its challenges.

Tonight I was looking at the stars shining brightly against the dark sky. They reminded me of the verse about how the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

I wholeheartedly believe this, but I don’t always feel it.

Yet I know I can’t allow my feelings to lead me. I need to follow what is true.

I need to keep my eyes and ears focused on the light, no matter how small or dim it may seem. Even a pinhole of light can brighten a dark space.

And God is light.

Jesus is the light of the world.

When I focus on the darkness, it seems to grow.

But when I seek God and look for what is good and remember all there is to be grateful for, the light grows instead.

So I have to ask myself, what am I choosing to focus on, the light or the darkness?

I choose the light, even though some days the darkness feels easier to see.

I share this in case you too find yourself stuck in your thoughts sometimes. If you can relate, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

Let’s ask Spirit to renew our thoughts and choose a new meditation for our minds, such as “Today I am thankful to God for…” And then begin to list the blessings in our lives, big and small. And when our thoughts shift back, as they naturally will, let’s gently redirect them.

By shifting our thoughts, we make room for light to shine and for darkness to lose its hold on our minds. We are not weak for having these moments or days. We are human. But we are not without hope.

May we remember God is the light in our lives so that no matter the season, we continue practicing turning our focus toward Him to lighten our minds, especially in the darker days of February.

With love and hope,
Shawn

PS I do love how it’s staying lighter later and later☀️🙏❄️