I stayed in student housing on a university campus while attending a retreat. My bedroom was one of three in the basement of a townhouse. The first evening I found my room, had a short visit with my roommates and went to bed.
In the night I got up to go to the bathroom. The bedroom was very dark and I became disoriented when trying to find the door. After first bumping into a wall and then opening the closet, I found the door and exited the room.
It was almost as dark outside of the bedroom as inside. I saw some closed doors, went from memory to choose what I thought was the correct one, opened it and stepped inside. When I heard someone roll over in bed, I knew my choice had been wrong! I quickly backed out. Confused, I stood in the dark and slowly turned in a circle, trying to get my bearings.
That’s when I spotted the open door that was my bedroom. My phone was next to the bed so I made my way back, retrieved it and used the light to guide me. Success at last!
Why hadn’t I done that in the first place? The answer is simple. I thought I could manage on my own. That’s why I wandered in the dark when a source of light had been available all along.
I don’t know about you, but this is a familiar story in my life. Many times I’ve stumbled my way through life’s challenges, thinking if I just try harder I can manage on my own. I’ve learned that seeking help is not weakness, as I first thought. It takes strength to admit I need help to see me through.
The source of light, God’s Son, is available and waiting for me to seek His guidance. Jesus is the light of the world. He shines into the darkness, the fear and the grief. His light brings hope, peace, and clarity. It focuses my attention on people, places and things I wouldn’t have found on my own. There is no need to walk in darkness when I have access to the light.
Have you ever had one of those days when you would rather stay in bed than get up and do
Late one afternoon, my husband and I sat at the table playing cards. We also enjoyed a clear view of the sea from our third-floor dwelling. Our attention frequently shifted to a couple of wind surfers who would zip by in one direction before turning around and going past the opposite way. I wondered aloud how they managed to keep the wind in their sails no matter which way they faced.
The decision was not easy. Two of our nine-year-old granddaughters wanted to spend the night in our camper van. The dilemma came when they told me they could sleep there without me. I didn’t like this idea at all. Who would protect them or comfort them if they became afraid?
Late one evening my husband and I drove through dark mountain passes. There were no streetlights and the high beam setting on our headlights was used and appreciated. Without them, we couldn’t find our way through the darkness.
In the pre-dawn hours, I awakened to the music of birdsong. I’m used to hearing birds in the daylight but the night time melody caught me by surprise.
