Thursday, July 26, 2012

Dear God,

Today we visited a lighthouse.  We took the small boat to the island, walked a half mile, and then journeyed through the house that was home to lighthouse keepers and their families for more than a century.  Ships, cargo, and people were saved by the light that shone in dark, stormy seas.  The light directed them beyond the rough, craggy rocks so they could sail safely to shore.

Once again I learned the valuable lesson of the light in the darkness.  The light shines in hidden places, sometimes so dark we do not even know they are there.  That darkness can overcome us, take us down, and rifle through our lives in unbelievable ways.  We can feel suffocated, trapped, and overwhelmed.  We may feel like an enemy from within has attacked us sending us into a panic.  We may feel hopeless, caught up in the tide of doubt and fear.

But when the light shines things can dramatically change.  Resources suddenly appear, new perspectives arise, courage is born, and new strength fills our body.  We feel revived from our deathbed.  We can begin to shake off the plague of our hopelessness and grab hold of hope that will swiftly change our situation.  In the light we can find our way out and into the world of possibility and challenge.  We can transform our condition because the tools of hope bring faith that can conquer the demons of our existence.

As I consider the power of darkness, I can feel afraid.  On the other hand, when I ponder the strength of the light, I turn to you and say thanks.

Compassionate God,
thank you
for your light
that helps,
guides, heals,
and makes new.
Thank you
for keepers
of the light
who lead us
out of
our many darknesses
and into
your glorious light.

Love, Andrea