this song

wow. just wow.

"Pushing Back The Dark"
by josh wilson

One million reasons why, you shouldn't even try.
After all you're just one heart, a single candle in the dark.
And there are shadows here, feeding on your fears,
That you don't have what it takes - who are you to make a change?

But oh, oh, don't underestimate the God you follow.

Whatever you do, just don't look back.
Oh somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don't lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark,
Keep on pushing back the dark.

The city on a hill, it should be shining still.
Every sinner saved by grace, has a purpose, has a place
Inside the bigger plan, we might not understand.
But if we just keep walking on, we will see the Kingdom come, yeah.

Whatever you do, just don't look back.
Oh somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don't lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark,
Keep on pushing back the dark.

(Let your lights all shine...)
Oh, oh, don't underestimate the God you follow.
He is the light that burns inside your soul,
So keep on shining 'til the whole world knows.

Whatever you do, just don't look back.
Oh somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don't lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark,
Just keep on pushing back the dark, dark.

Whatever you do, just don't look back.
Cause somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don't lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark,
Keep on pushing back the dark, yeah

(Let your lights all shine)
When you feel like you're too small
(Let your lights all shine)
To do any good at all
(Let your lights all shine)
Like a sunrise through the window
(Let your lights all shine)
Like a symphony crescendo
(Let your lights all shine)
We are waking up again, we are rising from the dead
(Let your lights all shine)
We are shining like the stars, we are pushing back the dark
(Let your lights all shine)
Yeah, we are pushing back, pushing back the dark
(Let your lights all shine)
We are pushing back, we are pushing back, pushing back the dark
(Let your lights all shine)
Just pushing back, we are pushing back, pushing back the dark
(Let your lights all shine)

i was driving up the hill to pick up my sister from campus and this song came on. i'd never heard it before and i just started crying because God was *talking* *to* *me.* i was just blown away with it. how it encapsulated what i'd been feeling and then *answered* it. 

so, thank you, josh wilson, even though you'll never read this. thank you, God! wow. thank you, God, for loving me. even me.

summer's end

it came today; the snow.

great, white, fluffy flakes falling down from a darkened sky. ah, how i wish summer could go on forever! and maybe that's what heaven will be like. {fingers crossed}

but part of me is oh, so happy because now i can *breathe.* breathing is good, right?

in summer we just *go, go, go.*

and last saturday becca and i chose to make that our *last* saturday at market. and when we woke to a thin cover of snow this morning? sooo happy i didn't have to go sit out in the cold today!!! market's on wednesday and saturday and sunday.

so. 

now for the cold, the dark, the time of settling inside. i want this winter to be a time of renewal and turning inward. a time to fill the artistic well and to *create.* becca and i have committed to spend time on our etsy shop, which i'm actually really excited about. i want to finish my room and get the studio in working order so we don't have to steal time at the kitchen table. i want to paint every week and make jewelry every day. 

so many plans!

God, i pray you will shine your favor on my endeavors. i pray that the works of my hands will be pleasing to you. help me shine, Father God. show me the way.