For the last six months or so, ever since one of my non-driving kids got a job that often requires him to work on Saturday mornings, my husband and I have taken that opportunity (after dropping him off) to go on a date at our local coffee shop. Not only does Java Domain serve great coffee, but on Saturdays, they pair that up with fresh-baked cinnamon buns. It’s a good chance for my hubby and I to enjoy a treat and some time to connect at the same time.

This week, I have to confess, the conversation was a little bleaker than usual. There are a lot of scary things happening in our world and in our country, and most of them are completely out of our control.

If I think about those things too long, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed and derailed from my purpose. After all, how can what I’m doing to brighten up the world make any difference if the forces of darkness keep covering the world in shadow?

What difference are my words and efforts truly making?

Then I remember three things:

1. God has written the end of the story.

2. My mission is only to do my assigned work and let him worry about the results.

3. Even one candle flame in the darkest night can bring hope.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But today, I will pick up my pen and paper and continue to do what God has called me to do.

And trust that that will be enough.