Monday Morning Grace: When the Star Stayed With Me

“Grace is God’s way of saying, ‘I see you. I’m not going anywhere.’”

There are some memories that never fade, even if you can’t fully explain them. They sit in the back of your mind like little bookmarks from God - moments that felt ordinary at the time but still glow when you look back.

For today’s Monday Morning Grace, come back with me to a summer evening, around age thirteen or fourteen, in the backyard where our in‑ground pool was the center of every family gathering. The wooden deck was warm from the sun. The air smelled like sunscreen, cut grass, and chlorine. My sister, my cousin Heather, and I were doing what we always did: racing from one side of the pool to the other, laughing, talking, just being kids.

And then I noticed the “star.”

The Night the Star Followed Me

At first, it was just another bright point in the sky - nothing special. But as I swam, something strange caught my attention. Every time I moved, the star seemed to move with me.

I swam to the deep end. It “followed.”
I swam to the shallow end. It was still right there.
Side to side. Lap after lap.

For what felt like twenty minutes, I tested it. I remember laughing and checking over and over: Is it really still above me? No matter where I went in that pool, the star stayed directly overhead.

Could there be a scientific explanation? Probably. But in my heart, that night became something more than a weird sky moment. It became a picture: even as a teenager, splashing around and not thinking about anything spiritual, I was seen. I was being watched over.

I didn’t have language for it then. But now, looking back through the lens of faith, I see a gentle echo of this promise:

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” [Psalm 23:6]

A God Who Follows in Love

That word “follow” in Psalm 23 isn’t weak or casual. It carries the idea of pursuing - of staying close on purpose. God’s goodness and love are not trailing behind you, hoping to catch up. They are actively tracking your life, step by step, season by season.

Back in that pool, I wasn’t praying profound prayers. I wasn’t doing anything “impressive” for God. I was just a kid enjoying a summer night. And yet, the “star” stayed with me.

That is the heart of Monday Morning Grace:

• You do not earn God’s nearness by how spiritual you feel.
• You do not lose His attention when your life feels ordinary.
• You are not overlooked just because you’re not doing something “big.”

The same God who quietly held your teenage summers holds this Monday, too.

Beginning the Week Under a Faithful Light

Mondays can feel like standing at the edge of deep water. There are responsibilities to swim through, emotions to manage, conversations you’re already rehearsing. Part of you wants to dive in; another part wants to stay on the steps where it feels safe.

Imagine starting this Monday remembering that there is a light fixed over your life - not a harsh spotlight of judgment, but a steady, kind presence.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” [John 8:12]

His light does not flicker with your mood. It does not disappear when your week gets messy. Wherever you go today, His light goes with you:

• Walk into a meeting? The Light is there.
• Face a hard conversation? The Light stands over that moment.
• Collapse on the couch tonight? The Light has not moved.

Seeing Your Week Through Grace

There’s something beautiful about the way light hits water. It bends and shimmers, turning a simple pool into a moving canvas. When I looked up from the water that night, I didn’t just see a star. I saw how light can change the way you see everything beneath it.

That’s what grace does at the start of a week - it re-frames your view.

Without grace, you might look at the days ahead and only see:

• Deadlines
• Demands
• Difficult people
• Old fears that won’t stay quiet

With grace, the same week begins to look like:

• Opportunities for God to show up
• People to love, not just problems to manage
• Spaces where you can practice trust instead of control

Grace doesn’t pretend the hard things aren’t there; it just refuses to let them be the only thing you see.

A Simple Practice: The “Star Check‑In”

To carry this story into your Monday, try this gentle rhythm throughout the day.

1. Pause and look up.
   When you feel rushed or tense, stop for a few seconds. If you can, look at the sky or out a window. If not, simply close your eyes and “look up” in your spirit.
2. Whisper the truth.
   Say quietly, “Your goodness and love are following me.” [Psalm 23:6]
3. Invite God into the next “lap.”
   Before you move into your next task, ask, “Lord, what does it look like to go into this with You, not just for You?”

You may not feel something dramatic every time. That’s okay. The goal is to remember: the same God who stayed with you then is staying with you now.

Monday Morning Prayer

Lord,
Thank You for the small stories in my life
that hinted at Your nearness
long before I understood it -
like that summer night in the pool
when the “star” never left my side.

As I step into this new week,
remind me that Your goodness and love
are still following me,
not from far away,
but with steady, gentle attention.

When I feel rushed,
slow my heart so I can look up.
When I feel unseen,
whisper that Your eyes are on me.
When I feel like I’m just
swimming in circles,
turn my face toward Your light
and show me the next small step.

Let Your presence be the quiet glow
over every decision, every room, every conversation.
May I begin this Monday
not in panic, but in peace -
held, known, and guided
by the One who has watched over me
from childhood and all the way to now.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Let this be your phrase for the day, a little piece of soul food for your Monday:

“The Light that followed me then is with me now.”

With love and sacred rhythm,
Eugene 💘

EugeniasThought: JMF💘

🎧 Frequency Feature: The Longest Road

“The Longest Road” by Daniel Ciurlizza feels like the perfect companion for this Monday Morning Grace because it captures what it’s like to travel a path that feels long, quiet, and unknown, yet somehow held together by a steady undercurrent of hope. The slow build and cinematic pull of the music mirror the way God’s goodness and love follow us - step after step, lap after lap - even when we don’t see the destination yet. As you listen, let the melody remind you that you’re not wandering aimlessly; you’re moving along a road lit by a faithful Light that refuses to lose sight of you, no matter how long the journey seems.

Weekly Editorial Rhythm

• Monday: Monday Morning Grace - a gentle start to the week with faith-centered encouragement
• Tuesday: Truth-Telling Tuesday - authentic reflections on living faith boldly
• Wednesday: The Midweek Mirror - a pause for spiritual reflection and self-compassion
• Thursday: Frequency Thursday - tuning into God's voice amid life's noise
• Friday: Follow Friday - exploring what it means to follow Jesus in everyday moments
• Saturday: Sacred Saturday - rest, reflection, and spiritual practices
• Sunday: Sunday Soul Food - nourishing reflections to ground your week ahead

Your Journey Starts Here

Many have asked during my TikTok Lives how to begin their personal or spiritual journey. So far, I've explored and mapped the first three stages for those seeking alignment - the awakening, the journey inward, and the path forward.

These stages have brought profound clarity, and I'm grateful to share what I've discovered along the way.

There are still a few details unfolding, but trust that everything is aligning in its own time - and you'll be the first to know when it's ready.

Remember, this is love being transmuted into art; growth takes time, and you can't rush an actual journey, beautiful souls. In due time, all the right energy falls into place. Just have faith. Hold the vision.

Ready to Deepen Your Journey?

Explore my Speak Your Truth and Frequency Collections - curated resources to support your authentic faith journey and help you tune into God's frequency in daily life.

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May you move at the pace of peace this week and trust the rhythm that is uniquely yours.