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A flash of light followed by a cracking boom caused the children to jump as a thunderstorm began to rage outside.
Their mother uttered calming words in hopes to soothe and reassure them, but another flash followed by a boom drowned her out, sending the children into a huddle on the nearby couch.
Sensing that they may lose electricity, the mother began to make her way towards the kitchen to gather a match to light a nearby candle.
Flash… Boom… lights failed…children shrieked, and darkness invaded the room.
Mother froze in place while she waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness.
The children hugged each other tightly as they found themselves in a room that appeared foreign and spooky.
Intermittent flashes of light eerily strobe the room. Familiar objects now appeared monstrous in shape which created a heighten sense of fear in the hearts of the children, and the sounds of their whimpers began to fill the room.
Slowly mom groped her way into the kitchen, stubbing her toe on the dinette chair while approaching the cabinet with the “catch all” drawer.
Holding back the verbal “ouch factor” she slid the drawer open and shuffled through the junk until her fingertips located a book of matches.
As she pulled them from the drawer, she could hear the children whispering.
“What’s that?”
“I Don’t know, but… I think… it’s moving.”
Flash…Boom… “Mommy!”
Clinching the book of matches, mom hastily made her way back to the living room stepping on a toy along the way.
“Shhh… it’s going to be ok.” she said, while hopping and cradling her freshly bruised foot.
Pulling the candle from its resting place, she struck a match that instantly served as a small beacon of light. All eyes were attracted to it as if it was the only thing that mattered in the room. Soon the candle was lit and the darkness receded.
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Darkness can conjure up many things. For some it supplies fear, presents obstacles, and a heighten sense of imagination. For all it slows function, productivity, requires an alteration of activity, and exaggerates visual perceptions that can make common objects appear distorted and strange.
This also holds true for “darkness” that goes beyond the physical.
Experiencing difficult trials may lead us into emotional darkness that promotes the feeling of abandonment and despair. Circumstances that cause us to wrestle with depression can plunge us into a mental darkness that convinces us that there is little to no hope and robs us from the desire to try. These forms of darkness (emotional and mental) can also slow function, productivity, exaggerated perceptions, and brings distortion to truth and reality.
There is no doubt that darkness is not a welcome guest. After all, when was the last time you saw a waiting line to go into a dark passage, alley, or cemetery in the middle of the night? Or someone rushing towards an emotional roller coaster or jumping into mental anguish? Aren’t these what horror movies are made of?
As foreboding as darkness is it suffers from one single weakness, it simply cannot withstand any signs of light. No matter how small the source of light is, darkness recedes. And as quickly as it recedes so does the attention that it once commanded.
Jesus said
“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” (John12:46)
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
And He commissioned His followers
“for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
These verses/words serve as “good news,” and a promise that we do not have to succumb to the deceptions that darkness tries to extract. Jesus came as the light into a dark and fallen world and imparted that light to those who are his followers. We possess the power to recede the darkness.
So when it attempts to invade, be encouraged that you do not have to succumb to its deceptions. Turn your eyes toward the One who is the light for He has overcome. Darkness flees from His presence as quickly as if you struck a match in a dark room.
A Parting Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, may we persevere to “walk as children of light,” and live an illuminating life that not only liberates us from the shadows, but help light the way for others to escape the darkness surrounding them. Amen
Donna
The Path 
Happy Birthday to you;{kaboing} Happy Birthday to you; {kaboing} Your writings so special; and you reach people too! LOVE, Your BIG Brudder
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What a wonderful perspective. I know during some of my own “dark” days I clung to the face that the Lord in His full light was there with me, even when I did not understand. He does not leave us and His light is that beacon of hope just like the match the mother struck was to the children. Wonderful!
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I love what Mark Ware said. And you’ve missed your calling! Have you ever thought of writing a book?
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Dear Donna,
What a refreshing story. How many times we slip into darkness during our life time. We are all guilty of that , I`m sure. Your story was beautiful. Keep them coming.
Coalick Queen
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The prince of darkness is no match against the Light of the world.
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Hey mom,
This is really cool mom. Its neat to think about how darkness dissipates when, even a little, light ignites in a room. When we are in troubled times and everything around seems to be all messed up, its great to know that you can, stop, and look to Christ for help and deliverance from the darkness. I know I’ve had some hard stressful times and I forget that its easy enough to pause and look to God. He is the light like you said mom. The Light isnt hard to see, He’s right there and He’s all you focus on. Thanks mom..
Love Rachel
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Nice take on the darkness thing. I have always been intrigued by the passage in John 1:5 where it talks about darkness’ inability to deal with Jesus’ light. In some versions the word to describe this lacking is overcome; in others it’s comprehend. The irony is that both are right.
Keeping my matches handy,
RoyBoy
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I love the comfort of this story. I can relate to being a mother who wants nothing more than to comfort her children. How quickly she went after the matches in the dark to where she knew they would be in the miscelaneous kitchen drawer. (I have one too!) She even predicted the possible darkness and began processing the steps necessary before the lights actually went out. I love that she put her children in a safe place and left them there until she could return.
How comforting are the scriptures you referred to!
In reflection, sometimes I feel like the frightend child waiting for Jesus to return! But Jesus gave us his Word. We have the Light with us because we believe! We do not walk in darkness! Amen Sister!
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