Danielle's Star
“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.”
Daniel 12:3
It’s been said, “the darkest nights produce the brightest stars” and as I look back over these past fifteen years, August 20, 2004 has truly proven itself to be the darkest night I have ever had to endure. Frozen in time it was almost midnight on that fateful Friday night that my wife and I stood next to our dear friends Tink and Sherrill Gould hoping against hope as we waited and then received the news that their youngest child had stepped into eternity as she passed from this life to the next. The result of a car accident she was involved in just minutes after leaving our home headed for hers, Danielle was our daughter Bree’s best friend. After spending the day together and most of the night, Danielle was heading home to make her agreed upon curfew.
I remember a quote by Victor Hugo who wrote the book made movie, “Les Miserables” that said, “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” I know that statement is true but I know as well that it was a long time before it felt as if the sun had risen again. I don’t know if you have ever lost someone you love, but if you have you know the emptiness that you feel, that sense of meaningless or lostness. Life for the longest time felt more like the lyrics from the song, “Ain’t no sunshine”… when she’s gone” as even the brightest summer days seemed dark.
Thank God for stars! It took time, a lot of time mind you, but by God’s grace and in His goodness the dark nights began to give birth to the brightest stars. Danielle’s legacy began to surface in the lives of others who had been touched by her. It wasn’t too long after Danielle left that her dad found a star that he affectionately named, “Danielle’s Star” that he could look up and see on those dark nights. I recall reading from the book of Daniel and being reminded, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). Just as Daniel declared then, fifteen years later now, Danielle Marie Gould’s life still shines bright like the stars in the heavens. God’s faithful promise to Sherrill, who pondered out loud the morning after her baby girl went to be with Jesus said, “people will forget her” knows now that just isn’t true.
Sitting with my wife at Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “Soul 2 Soul” tour that made a stop in Bakersfield in 2017, I remember a song they sung, “Sleeping In The Stars.” When I heard it the first time I immediately thought of Danielle. The lyrics go like this,
Sleeping In The Stars
When God calls me home
And my soul is laid to rest
That won't mean I'm gone
heaven knows
I'll love you just the same
So, don't you feel alone
You may cry a tear or two and that's okay
Just know I'll never be too far away
I'll be sleeping in the stars
Shining through the dark
Watching, smiling, singing out into silence
Everywhere you are I'll be sleeping in the stars
Some steps that we take
Leave an everlasting mark
Even death can't take away
So, if you're missing me
Just look inside your heart
And let the memories play
You may cry a tear or two and that's okay
Look up and know I'm not that far away
I'll be sleeping in the stars
Shining through… (song ends)
A beautiful song for sure! Today, I and many who knew and loved Danielle will most likely shed a tear or two missing her like crazy and wishing she were here or even better yet, wishing we were all there with her in glory. I love the picture in my minds eye as I listen to this song playing on my phone. I know I can find Danielle by looking inside my heart, allowing the memories that fill the files to play, being reminded of her everlasting mark. I have a smile on my face today as I can so easily imagine seeing her sleeping in the stars, shining through!
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed”
1 Corinthians 15:51
I LOVE YOU!
Daniel 12:3
It’s been said, “the darkest nights produce the brightest stars” and as I look back over these past fifteen years, August 20, 2004 has truly proven itself to be the darkest night I have ever had to endure. Frozen in time it was almost midnight on that fateful Friday night that my wife and I stood next to our dear friends Tink and Sherrill Gould hoping against hope as we waited and then received the news that their youngest child had stepped into eternity as she passed from this life to the next. The result of a car accident she was involved in just minutes after leaving our home headed for hers, Danielle was our daughter Bree’s best friend. After spending the day together and most of the night, Danielle was heading home to make her agreed upon curfew.
I remember a quote by Victor Hugo who wrote the book made movie, “Les Miserables” that said, “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” I know that statement is true but I know as well that it was a long time before it felt as if the sun had risen again. I don’t know if you have ever lost someone you love, but if you have you know the emptiness that you feel, that sense of meaningless or lostness. Life for the longest time felt more like the lyrics from the song, “Ain’t no sunshine”… when she’s gone” as even the brightest summer days seemed dark.
Thank God for stars! It took time, a lot of time mind you, but by God’s grace and in His goodness the dark nights began to give birth to the brightest stars. Danielle’s legacy began to surface in the lives of others who had been touched by her. It wasn’t too long after Danielle left that her dad found a star that he affectionately named, “Danielle’s Star” that he could look up and see on those dark nights. I recall reading from the book of Daniel and being reminded, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). Just as Daniel declared then, fifteen years later now, Danielle Marie Gould’s life still shines bright like the stars in the heavens. God’s faithful promise to Sherrill, who pondered out loud the morning after her baby girl went to be with Jesus said, “people will forget her” knows now that just isn’t true.
Sitting with my wife at Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “Soul 2 Soul” tour that made a stop in Bakersfield in 2017, I remember a song they sung, “Sleeping In The Stars.” When I heard it the first time I immediately thought of Danielle. The lyrics go like this,
Sleeping In The Stars
When God calls me home
And my soul is laid to rest
That won't mean I'm gone
heaven knows
I'll love you just the same
So, don't you feel alone
You may cry a tear or two and that's okay
Just know I'll never be too far away
I'll be sleeping in the stars
Shining through the dark
Watching, smiling, singing out into silence
Everywhere you are I'll be sleeping in the stars
Some steps that we take
Leave an everlasting mark
Even death can't take away
So, if you're missing me
Just look inside your heart
And let the memories play
You may cry a tear or two and that's okay
Look up and know I'm not that far away
I'll be sleeping in the stars
Shining through… (song ends)
A beautiful song for sure! Today, I and many who knew and loved Danielle will most likely shed a tear or two missing her like crazy and wishing she were here or even better yet, wishing we were all there with her in glory. I love the picture in my minds eye as I listen to this song playing on my phone. I know I can find Danielle by looking inside my heart, allowing the memories that fill the files to play, being reminded of her everlasting mark. I have a smile on my face today as I can so easily imagine seeing her sleeping in the stars, shining through!
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed”
1 Corinthians 15:51
I LOVE YOU!
Recent
Archive
2021
January
Test PositiveHow Not To ForgetYour Best Year EverRelationship Over RulesKeep The Main Thing The Main ThingBonding FiresTake Me To ChurchWeight Gain Is GoodNot Seeing Is Believing Everything You Need To KnowLove Wins!Servants Not Slaves8 P's and 7 B'sWhat The World Needs NowThe World Is Falling... Into Place10 Minutes That Change The WorldHow To Kill A ButterflyWhat's The Score?You Can Know For SureWe Need A Good Wind StormThe Little Things
February
The Power of KindnessThe Cure For WorryThe Truth; The Whole Truth; And Nothing But The TruthGod UnderstandsDefining MomentsBetter Than NewLittle's Make Big'sOne Hour Could Change Your WorldInstructions With PicturesGrow Through ItFire and IceA Sweet Sweet SoundThe Way Up Is DownThe Gift of YouThe Cure For DepressionA Flower In Life's SidewalkLets Be FriendsOur Secret WeaponLove Win'sAll Gave Some, Some Gave All
2020
January
February
March
Why We Can Be FriendsBe What You Want Other's To BeThere Is A Song In Your HeartThe Afterward of FailureWhy God WhispersDon''t Worry, Be Happy!I Can See Clearly NowI'm In It For The Long HaulTrade In Your Fears For PeaceDaddy Hold YouThe EndA Guy Can't Just Sit AroundThe Birthday Boy!Worry Never WorksPromises PromisesTwenty Inches From BlissFit From HomeThe Silver Lining of SufferingThe Gift of PainDo Not Be Afraid
April
Two Tickets To ParadiseI'll Trade YouNo Substitute For TrustOur Greatest NeedHope DispensersYour Finest HourDreams Do Come True!How To Survive A PandemicFeeling ChippieThe Good In Good Friday!The Dark Before The DawnHow Stars Are BornOne A Day, And Leap Year Too!Please, Breathe On MeYou Can't Afford To WorryChristmas In AprilAre You Jesus?Comfort FoodSocial DistancingNew NormalThe Beauty of SelflessnessThrive Not SurviveDon't Ask Why Ask WhatEmpty Is GoodI Miss Your FaceGet Out Of Jail Free
May
Marriage IS WorkYou Are EssentialThe DestinationCourage Looks Like LoveLive The AmenRelentlessYou're Never AloneOpen For BusinessYour're ContagiousGod's Got Big EarsHigher EducationA Season, A Reason, A LifetimeTo Grope Is DopeYou PickWomen Like GodMaking A DifferenceOne Way LoveBlessed To BlessPeople God Uses
June
How To Defeat RacismDon't Be An AnimalJesus IS The AnswerBefore Not AfterDreams Do Come True!ImagineTell It Like It Can BePeace MakersHold OnThe Name Above ALL NamesThe Real You!Don\'t Lose Your PassionA Tale of Four Father\'sJust Do It For Jesus!IfIn or Out?Stay FocusedPriorities MatterGod's Green Thumb
July
August
Whistle While You WorkDon't Worry, Be Happy!Holy Moly, Just Look At You!You Can Do Hard ThingsJoy Is On The Way!Why Not Me?What's Your Backstory?ForgivenessJesus Is Our RainbowJesus In, Jesus OutThe 7 Factors of FriendshipBecause of YouLord, Teach Me To PrayHopeless End or Endless Hope?The Stress RelieverDefining MomentsA Supernaturally Scheduled DayWho's In Your Boat?
September
Hang In There 5 Minutes More!You Can Do It!What You See is What You GetMountains Were Made To ClimbLet Go, Let GodThe Third OptionWhat Will You Be?Better Than New!You Are A Best Seller!Heaven On EarthPray, Don't PreyTo love Is To ObeyIf I Could Live My Life Over AgainLet It Shine!Need A Hug?A Beautiful MessRun Through The TapeCause and EffectLife Is The PitsJust Say Yes
October
How To Have A RevivalLord, Teach Us To PrayBroken and BeautifulWhy God WhispersDig DeepThings Are Not As They AppearChildlike FaithGreat JobWhat On Earth Am I Here ForSafe In God's HandYou Be JesusYou Never Have To Advertise A FireRetraining ElephantsMission PossibleGo Nuts Today!Don't Hide The CracksOne Step AheadWho's Your Caddy?THINKPeter's Favorite PsalmFound Together
November
Success Through FailureNo FearAgainst All OddsGod Works For You But Not For YouThe Worship of TearsThank God For FleasHow To Thank A VeteranSoar Like An EagleOne Out Of TenHow To Get Through A StormCling OnKeep SwingingChoose Winning!The BlessingLessons From My Washing MachineHow To Put Happy Into Your ThanksgivingWe Exist To AppreciateThe Gift That Keeps On Giving
December
Peace On EarthHope In The DarkLessons From Long LinesHe's Making A List And Checking It TwiceKeep Rolling!You Have A ReservationWhen Heaven Met EarthThe Great Gift ExchangeA Thrill of HopeThe Real DealThe Perfect GiftFace Your FearsWinning Over WorryStability From A StableThe "awe" of HeavenJoy That LastsMessage From The MangerChristmas In Three WordsLook Up Not ForwardJust Because
2019
February
Heavenly RemindersThings Are Not Always As They AppearZihuatanejoSatisfied Wanting MoreGet In The Game!Always The Nails, Never The HammerA Four Footed EnemyAll InWhat's Love Got To Do With It?Lessons From A LeperLessons From A Former LeperNo MatchYour Mess Is Your MessageLessons From Your GPS"Ooooo ooooo ohoohohoo"Jesus MarveledShe Walks In BeautyShaken or Stirred?Bring The Rain
March
I Can't Love You AnymoreThe Gift of AttentivenessWha't Outside Your Tent?I'll Carry YouIt’s Worth The PainWorship On The BrainA Door of HopeGet Busy LivingHow Knowledge Becomes Power Please Do Not DisturbNew Normal5 Minutes LongerOur Conquering KingA Matter of PerspectiveAge Old WisdomFaith Your FearsThe Best Day Of Your Life… Starts Now!Who Grace Looks LikeHow To Have Lifetime JoyTo Know You Is To Love YouMistaken Identity
April
Life After The End Of The RopeLet's Get RealWhy God Made MountainsForgive And ForgetLoving You Is EasySweetly Broken Keep The Main Thing The Main ThingKnow God Know PeaceWisdom Never Gets OldOut of the WhirlwindMonday: A Pure and Holy PassionTuesday: The Passion Of JesusThe Passion Week: WednesdayJesus Love From Head To ToeFriday: The Passion JesusThe Ta-da of HeavenWhat's The World Coming To?A Love InvasionThe Gift of YouI'm With You AlwaysHow Is Your Balance?Bring The Rain
May
In Regards To HeavenHope WinsIshteeLove Is A VerbFinishing WellYour New Favorite BookGod Has No GrandchildrenCrossing GuardsYou Were Made For MomentsLiving Like A Rock StarA Wonder Filled DayLess is MoreAll Washed UpIf Your Child Goes Astray... Pray!Like Parent Like ChildBring Back The KingWith God You ARE The MajorityJesus IS EnoughWe Will RememberYou Are Stronger Than You ThinkEscape ArtistsYou Can't Back Into Your FutureThe Worship of Tears
June
For HankGod's 'GPS'A Friend Like YouDesire Discipline DelightDesire, Discipline, DelightYou Be JesusYour WorthA Living Love StoryThe Gift of GraceThe Power of AmenA Dad For All SesonsStuck On YouJust OneI Hope You DanceIt's Your Turn To ShineGlorious Day!Ancient Social MediaA Door of HopeLiving Like JesusPlease, Don't Shoot The Messenger!
July
Flawed Instruments Glorify GodHelp Is On The WayMay You Always Remain As You Are TodayOne Nation Under GodDivine AppointmentsDon't Trip Over Your PastWho's Counting?ShineLove Is A VerbBig Shoes To FillYou Never Have To Advertise A FireLet The Walls Fall DownOne Small Step, One Giant LeapOur God Rocks!Stirred To ActionThe Power of LoveTo Know Him Is To Love HimJesus Loves Pizza
August
September
October
Broken and BeautifulIn The Hands of The PotterRecognitionExtraordinarily OrdinaryBonded By A BonfireColor EverywhereWords To Live ByThe Best of MeJust Say YesChoose HappyThe Best Weekend Ever!Three Yet OneJust KISSGame ChangerHow To Beat An Escape RoomIt's What's Inside That CountsWhen Longer Isn't Long EnoughThe Whisperer
November
The Healing Power of a HugA Work In ProgressThe Best Day of Your Life Starts... NowYou Have Beautiful EyesLord, Teach Me To PrayFive Star FaithDebt Free LivingWhen Close Isn't Close EnoughHave I Got Something Just For You!Perfect In Any LightYour Strength Is Your WeaknessIt's Only A TestYou're Living An Adventure
Slow The PaceThe Art of AppreciationLasting MemoriesBlack Friday Saved My Life
Categories
no categories