To end the darkness...
"That's how I feel. Like that tree there in the yard,"
the old man said as I entered the room.
I couldn't see him at first. It was a beautiful, sunny day,
but his room was dark. The lights were out and all the
shades were pulled down. I tried to adjust to the change
quickly. Finally, after scanning the small room I saw his
silhouette against the smallest of the two windows. He held
the shade in his hand as he peeked out along its edge.
"Hiding from someone?" I asked.
"The world!" he replied.
"As hard as I've tried, I've never been able to do that. I
finally realized that I can't possibly hide from the world
if I'm a part of it. The fact that I am already in it leaves
an impression of some sort. So, after struggling with the
idea, I decided If I am a part of it, then I am also
responsible for it. My goal since then is to leave a
positive impression behind. Not one of a man who was
hiding," I said.
"Well...sure...that's one way to see it," he said.
"Now tell me about that tree you see."
"Well, it's all bent over. The weight of the ice has caused
its head to bow down low nearly touching the ground," he
said.
"Oh, yes. Isn't that beautiful? When I was driving here I
saw hundreds of trees just like that. The sun was glistening
off each of the branches. It was like watching a light
show," I said.
"Well, those trees are bent over from the weight. I see it
as sad," he said.
"But the strong ones always bounce back. That ice, like the
worries we humans carry with us, builds up slowly until the
tree can no longer stand tall. The strong ones bend with the
weight, but never fall. The difference between you and that
tree is you have a choice. You can stand in one place and
hold all your worries and problems until you crash to the
ground or you can shake it off and move on," I told him.
"Hmmmmm."
"But just like that tree, we depend on the light. The warmth
of the sun helps it to grow. The same sun will melt away
that which threatens it. God is my light. I depend on Him to
grow. When burdened with worry and the cold dark days that
threaten me, I turn toward the Light to melt away my fears."
Suddenly the shade flew up flapping around the window top
with a sputter that scared both of us. The room brightened
as we both squinted and rubbed our eyes.
"Wow, it is bright out there!" he said.
I walked over to where he was seated and pointing at him I
said, "Now let's talk about how we can make it bright in
there."
As I am sharing this story with you images of my Old English
sheep dog, Daisy, who has been gone from our lives a few
years now, suddenly came to mind. I can see her running
through the deep snow in our back yard. We would spend hours
out there with my two boys. Because of her long hair, the
snow would build up until she was dragging it along with
her.
Is that how you are going through life? Are you dragging
along old memories, challenges, worries and hurt? Have you
reached a point where you feel weighted down so much you
can't get up?
Daisy didn't know any better. The trees have no choice. What
excuse have you sold yourself on that has permitted you to
arrive at this point in your life that you cannot move?
The light of God shines in the darkness and starts from
within. It all begins when you let go and He takes over.
To end the darkness...welcome the Light!
Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com