March 2021 Thank You

Kids are struggling. 1 in 3, in fact, are now battling anxiety. We’re seeing evidence of it in our offices daily. And we’re seeing that anxiety spill over into depression. Parents are struggling, too. They’re overwhelmed. We’ve talked, as a staff, about how we’ve never had as many parents in our offices in tears as we have in the past year. And now year plus. It’s been a long, hard season. For all of us.

In this season, it feels more important than ever to have our doors open to our little yellow house. For kids to get to meet with a trusted counselor. For them to gather with other kids, in person, in a safe place to share their stories and even just to laugh. We are deeply grateful to be doing this work of offering hope to the 1900 families who are currently a part of Daystar. Romans 15 calls it “taking on the troubles of the troubled.”

“That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next.”             -Romans 15:3-5

Thank you for joining us in this steady, constant calling. It truly has never felt as important. And it has never felt like more of a privilege to have your partnership in it. We are grateful. So are these kids and their parents. And we’re all looking expectantly with you to whatever He will do next.

The Daystar Staff

February 2021 Thank You

As you know, Daystar has been committed, when possible, to keeping our doors open to the kids and families who are coming to us for counseling. Several of us have been exposed at different times along the way but, other than during the Nashville Stay-at-Home orders, we’ve been able to continue to do our work of offering hope in person—at least, individually.

A few weeks ago, we contacted the Mayor’s office and were allowed to resume groups in person, as well. Of course, we’re in masks and socially distanced. But we are delighted to not only see these kids faces (as much as possible in a mask), but for them to get to see each other. So many kids of all ages are feeling the loneliness that has been a part of this past year deeply. And so, to see them come together, has given all of us a surge of hope.

Just last week, one of the groups started in the park a few doors down. They played and laughed together, before coming back to our offices to talk about what’s going on in their lives. As the group sat down, one girl looked at another and said, “It’s been so long since we just played.” Hope. Even in the playfulness. And simply but more profoundly than possibly any of us knew in the togetherness.

Thank you for being such an important part of Daystar. Thank you for helping us provide a safe place for individuals AND groups. It is an honor to stand with you in playing and sharing hope in these days. 

Gratefully,

The Daystar Staff

January 2021 Thank You

“And the King says, ‘Look! God and his children are together again. No more running away. Or hiding. No more crying or being lonely or afraid. No more being sick or dying. Because all those things are gone. Yes, they’re gone forever. Everything sad has come untrue. And see—I have wiped away every tear from every eye!’ And then a deep, beautiful voice that sounded like thunder in the sky says, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’”                            -The Jesus Storybook Bible

2020 has been a year full of so many of these things. Illness. Dying. Loneliness. Fear. Tears. Even hiding, in our various ways. It’s impacted all of us, but maybe especially kids. 2020 has been a difficult year.

But, in the midst of the pain and seeming hopelessness, we have a God who is making all things new. He is redeeming—right now. He’s redeeming the anxiety of the 1st and 2nd and 3rd graders who are living much of life these days with tummy aches. He’s redeeming the pain and hurt and loneliness of the teenagers who have lost so much of what we got to experience during our teenage years.

Still, we have a God of hope. It’s why we have a Daystar. It’s why we can sit with kids and families in the midst of the kind of fear and sorrow 2020 has brought with it. This is not the end. He is making all things new. We get to point children of all ages toward that great truth. Because of Him. Because of you and your gracious support of our ministry. 

One day, everything sad will become untrue. Even this. In the meantime,  we get to be a light in the darkness. We get to be reminders of hope. And you and your graciousness to Daystar are certainly a reminder of that hope with us.

Celebrating 2021 and new things with you—in gratitude.

The Daystar Staff

December 2020 Thank You

“It gets darker and darker until Jesus is born.” -Wendell Berry

In the 35 years Daystar Counseling Ministries has been in existence, there has possibly never been a darker time in the lives of kids. And, as a result, in the lives of families. But the mission of Daystar is to be a light in the darkness “until the day dawns and the Daystar rises in our hearts,” according to 2 Peter 1:19.

The season of Advent is all about waiting. And it also happens to be the season we find ourselves in globally. Waiting. In a whole lot of darkness. Anxiety. Loneliness. Depression. In the midst of that waiting…of that darkness, we have the privilege of being a light.

We get to be a light to the 8 year-old girl who can’t stop thinking about whether grandparents, her dad who is battling cancer or even she will get covid…and so she’s washing her hands incessantly. We get to be a light to the 17 year-old boy whose depression is only worsened by the isolation he’s feeling with the events he’s looked forward to disappearing one by one. We get to be a light to the parents who feel ill-equipped to parent a healthy child during a pandemic, as well as to the ones who feel disheartened and overwhelmed by the emotional toll this time is taking on their children. We get to be a light because of you.

Your support of Daystar this December of 2020 enables these children and these families to receive hope. Your support, through our counselors and staff, reminds each of these kids that they’re seen. Each of these teenagers that they aren’t alone. And each of these parents that they can get through this. There is always hope…it’s why the door of our little yellow house remains open—whether in person or virtually.

Thank you for joining us in being a light in the darkness and only helping to make our light brighter and stronger. Our light is only a dim reflection of His. And a reminder that we get to celebrate with deep gladness that He is born into our darkness. Even in 2020, thanks be to God.

With profound gratefulness and the Merriest of Christmas wishes,

The Daystar Staff

September 2020 Thank You

“You probably knew my son better than anyone and loved him right where he was. Turns out, THAT is what matters most in the end. I wish I could express how grateful I am for you and the Daystar Staff. “

That is what matters most in the end. These words were from a dear friend of ours whose son was a part of Daystar for most of his growing up years and whose life tragically ended just a few months ago. We did know him and certainly loved him. And we cherish these words from her.

Our fall at Daystar looks different—as does yours this year. Thankfully, we are counseling individuals and families in our offices and have been able to do so Covid-free for the entire summer. We also were able to have five of our seven sessions of Hopetown in person. And then, as the numbers spiked in Nashville in July, we felt like God was leading us to move the last two virtually. Two days later, the Kentucky Governor issued an ordinance saying no gatherings larger than 10. God has graciously kept Daystar going all summer—whether in Kentucky or in Tennessee.

We are so grateful to be in the business of knowing and loving kids right where they are. Especially in these days, with so much sadness and anxiety, so much hopelessness, so much that is just unknown—we are profoundly grateful to be able to offer hope to over 1700 children and families in the middle Tennessee community. And we are just as grateful for you and your support of our little yellow house. It’s in an honor to be in the knowing and loving and hoping business with you.

Gratefully,

The Daystar Staff