Darkness Reveals The Light

Mar 23, 2012

 

We are surrounded on every side by light. The truth of this statement was revealed to me most vividly a few years ago. Let me tell you how it happened.

It was a difficult time. Not only was my dear mom failing in health but life’s burdens were unusually heavy. I desperately needed a break, just to get away from everything for awhile.

“How would you like to go to the mountains?” I asked my daughters on the spur of the moment.

Their faces broke into wide grins and excitedly we all began throwing things into the car. A few overnight things. Well, you never know, we thought.

It was a sparkling October day as we drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway. I felt lighter enjoying the sound of laughter and giggles in the car.  It didn’t take long to get to Skyland, our favorite place. The colorful leaves were at their peak and the scent of autumn was everywhere.

We first took a hike and then grabbed a bite of food before we prepared to return home. At the last moment though, I impulsively stopped at the reservation office, just to see if any rooms happened to be available. No one was more surprised than I too discover that there was one room. For just that night.

I couldn’t pass it up. Nothing like this had ever happened before.

“Yeah!” we all shouted as I skipped out of the office with the key in hand.

Our rustic room was lovely with a balcony looking out on the valley below. We felt liked we were in heaven.

That evening we all sat together watching the sun set and admiring the vivid colors.

Darker and darker it grew and our eyes were gripped by the beauty surrounding us.

And then I saw it.

One little light shining in the valley below. And then another and another.

As the darkness grew I watched as more and more twinkling little lights appeared. Hundreds of them. Everywhere.  Familiar words came to my mind.

“You are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14)

“In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33)

“Be of good cheer.” (John 16:33)

We sat transfixed for a long time by those beautiful twinkling lights that night.

Hope. Cheer. Encouragement. Comfort.

“I had no idea there were that many lights down there,” I heard a quiet voice say.

No, I thought. My view from the valley was different. I needed to come up higher to see.

 It was when the darkness grew that the lights became evident.

We are surrounded by Light.

Always.

Held by the Light of the World.

Encouraged and supported by special ones.

Held by the Prince of Peace Who sees and knows and cares.

But when the darkness comes,

 and it will from time to time,

the lights shine even brighter.

You see what you might not have been able to see before.

You are never alone.

No matter how dark it becomes.

He surrounds you with His Robe of Light.

Never forget. His Light shines for you.

 

 

 

 

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