Faith in the Night: Finding God When All Seems Lost by Andrew Budek-Schmeisser (CreateSpace Publishing, 2016)

The content in this book is for the person who finds themselves in the middle of any kind of crisis, and it is for the person contemplating or wrestling with the meaning of faith in the context of life events. Faith in The Night covers many of those sticky areas that quite often trip us up, those times when God doesn’t rush in and make everything better when we wish He would or those times when He seems to withhold His blessings from us. This book is part philosophy and part spiritual mixed together as a promise of hope for those in need of it (which is everyone).    
     Andrew Budek-Schmeisser unfolds for us his personal perspectives on God, human suffering, the why, the devil’s gotcha, God’s promises, divine and human miracles, unpretentious prayer, the need for community, and practical suggestions to help people maintain during the hard times. His spiritual take is not the usual, but it makes a lot of sense. I find his views kind, thoughtful, and engaging because he doesn’t cast blame, shame, or voice a whine of regret. He accepts what is. The author promotes the need to engage in life despite or in-spite of negative circumstances.
     What makes this book particularly apropos is Budek-Schmeisser’s own journey of hardship as he chooses life and giving of self while fighting against illness and an encroaching end of life scenario, but for God. Faith in the Night will make you think, and it hits all the right notes. It gets to the point without belaboring the effort.

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Pilgrims Persevere in a New Land

The pilgrims were brave and had stout hearts. They were not perfect people but neither are we. They had that human desire to break free of the religious confines.

Like many of us, the pilgrims wanted to serve God with pure motives and unfettered hearts, not scripted by the formal rules of Church and State. It was a difficult undertaking.

Any group, whether religious or otherwise, will have its rules and parameters. The pilgrims were not exempt. Communal living and shared religious belief bound them tight.

The community had to work together for it to survive its first winter. The humanity of the human was tested, severely challenged when pitted against the elements and conditions.

Many would die. They ran out of provisions, shelter was limited, the winter, harsh. Some ate boiled leather book covers in desperation for food. Their faith was tested, doubts surely surfaced.

But the pilgrims persevered on, still believing in the providence of a holy, Almighty God. The One, Who they believed had brought them to this new world so different than their cultural roots.

People have been assimilating in this “new land” ever since. It is significant that the very first Thanksgiving feast was of two races and two cultures both giving thanks to Divine Providence.

I appreciate an attitude that gives respect to God for the goodness we get from the land and His abundant provision, and I appreciate caring people who share from out of their blessings by blessing others.

There are many displaced people in our world today. They will persevere, and they will find the courage and fortitude they need. May they seek God on their journey and may we be compassionate.

~Have a lovely Thanksgiving Day~