Gold by Moonlight...

The crescent moon is shining tonight

So often we darken our woods by sadness over one dear to us whom we long to see relieved or released, and all the time the Lord of Light is shining on that heart, and speaking words that will never be forgotten, and which, handed on to others like a lighted torch, will travel, who can tell how far? We must learn to look on and see the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that is being prepared for our beloved.

Does St. Paul regret the thorn in the flesh that drew forth words that have comforted countless millions? Do the men for whom the winds were contrary wish they had been spared the storm that brought their Lord to them walking on the sea and caused Him to speak that immortal It is I: be not afraid? Could we wish to skirt a wood where our Master waited to give us a word to lighten the dark woods of others? No, not even now, while the pressure is upon us, would we choose, if we might, to escape from this which is but for a moment, and which worketh that which is eternal.

Excerpt from Gold By Moonlight
(And Then the Dark Wood Again)
By Amy Carmichael

"And there was darkness over the the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was hovering..." ~Genesis 1

"The moon and stars to rule by night, for his mercy endures forever." ~Psalm 136

"If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.....If I say, 'Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,' even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You."
~Psalm 139