Midnight at Starlite: When God Meets You in the Mess

Focus Scripture

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5–6

Thoughts

I remember one night, years ago, when I was deep in one of those “run from it” moments. I felt lost—spiritually, emotionally, everything. A buddy of mine picked me up in the middle of the night, no questions asked. We ended up at the Starlite Coney Island (24-Hour Diner) on Dort Highway in Flint, Michigan. If you know, you know—it wasn’t fancy, but it was always open. The coffee was strong, the lights were dim, and the pancakes hit different at 2:00 a.m.

That night, over cheap diner mugs and worn-out vinyl booths, something shifted. I didn’t have all the answers, but for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel alone. Sometimes God doesn’t shout from a mountaintop—He meets you in the quiet clatter of a late-night diner, through a faithful friend who just shows up. He said, "Your money is no good here." Buddy, you know who you are...I will never forget!

There was a time in my life when my default response to difficulty was simple: run. If something looked too painful, too complex, or too uncertain—I’d look for an exit. Whether it was a hard conversation, a career decision, or a spiritual struggle, my instinct was to retreat, not resolve.

But the problem with running is this: you can’t outrun the things God has called you to face. And you certainly can’t outrun God. I’ve come to understand—sometimes the breakthrough we seek is waiting on the other side of the very thing we’re trying to avoid.

Over the years, I’ve been learning to trust God in everything:

When my family’s health feels fragile, and there’s nothing I can do but pray and be present…

When I wonder if I’m making the right decisions as a school administrator in DoDEA, leading teams, serving students, and advocating for military-connected families…

When opportunities for promotion arise and the temptation to strive in my own strength creeps in…

When life throws curveballs, and I’d rather retreat than wrestle through…

When you're walking through Flushing with a suitcase in hand, no car, pitch darkness. It seems helpless. But a buddy picks you up and buys you dinner at Starlight in Flint, Michigan...

When your adult children (heck, any of us) make decisions that do not align with God's best...

In all these places, God’s voice whispers the same truth: "TRUST ME."

Not with half-hearted prayers. Not as a last resort. But with all your heart. That means trusting Him when I don’t understand the why, can’t see the how, and don’t know the when. Trust isn’t passive. It’s a decision. It’s a muscle. And sometimes, it’s a battle.

Trusting God means giving up the illusion of control and choosing faith even when fear screams louder. Psalm 56:3 reminds us, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Notice it doesn’t say "if" you are afraid. It says "when". Fear is real—but trust is our response. We’re not promised a life without struggle, but we *are* promised a God who is faithful through it all.

Life Application

Are you facing a situation where trusting God feels risky? Maybe it’s a health scare, a job transition, a strained relationship, or a silent season where answers seem far off.

Ask yourself:

• Am I leaning on my understanding, or on His promises?

  
  

• Have I submitted this fully to God—or am I still clinging to parts of it?

  
  

• What would trusting God look like practically—today?

Sometimes trusting God means "waiting". Sometimes it means "moving forward in faith". Other times, it means "letting go" of what we think we deserve or desire. Whatever it looks like for you, know this: trusting God never leads to regret. Even if the road is long, He’s always faithful.

God is not waiting for you to have it all figured out. He’s inviting you to trust Him "with it all" and not to run. Stand firm. Your breakthrough might just be on the other side of your surrender.

Closing Prayer

Father God, you know how many times I’ve run from difficulty instead of trusting You through it. But today, I surrender again. I trust You with my family’s health, with every leadership responsibility You’ve placed in my hands, and with every unknown future decision I face. Forgive me for leaning on my own understanding. Help me to walk in bold faith—not because I know what’s coming, but because I know "You do". Shape me into someone who chooses trust over fear, obedience over avoidance, and surrender over striving. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Starlite Coney Island in Flint, Michigan