Dispelling Darkness

The roofer threw in a tube skylight into our great room for free. We waited in hovering anticipation for the shimmering blast of natural light into a room that is always dark, with just one window and the glass screen door to let in God's less expensive lighting.

I looked at the small tube, about 12 inch diameter that was supposed to flood our huge dark room with the glow of sunshine.
"This little thing will light up our room?" I asked dubiously.
I was assured that small things can often do impossibly big tasks. Remember David and Goliath, the tiny acorn and the mighty oak, our VISA card.

The roofers were only supposed to be here one day. The day stretched into a week, and no one spoke English so it was hard to assess what the hold up was. The skylight tube sat woefully on the porch. I smiled in Spanish at the roofers and pointed at the tube.
"Manana!" they promised.
But you know the song, Manana Never Comes.
But finally, manana did arrive and the tube was hoisted into the attic. There was a great deal of Spanish from the many workmen, and grunting and groaning and Asherel, who speaks a little Spanish thought she understood, "What are you doing!!??" There were some words she did not understand, for which I am probably grateful.

Finally it was done. We all gathered under the much anticipated sky tube. A blue glowing circle was in our ceiling. No light came out of it to reach our dark and shadowy room, but the circle of blue was surreal and artistic. It was late afternoon, so perhaps the brighter midday sun would make a difference.

This morning I hurried out to the great room, wearing sunglasses to shield my eyes from the expected blazing rays of morning sun that would be tumulting into the room. The room was dark, but the eerie blue circle glowed in the ceiling, like a UFO.

Arvo came out and we both looked up at the blue disc.
"This isn't quite what I hoped for," he admitted.
"I kind of like it, though," I said, "It's pretty....like ceiling art."

So often our expectations far outshadow our reality. We think our new gadget will light the dark corners of our life, bring radiance to dismal shadows of our dwelling, illuminate our stumbling progress on murky paths......
But of course it never does. Sometimes it brings momentary delight, or the illusion of light, but only God dispels the darkness permanently.

2 Samuel 22:29 (New International Version)

²⁹ You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.

Butterflies and Prayer

While kayaking yesterday, in between bouts of fearing the dogs would capsize the boat, the snakes would slither on board, or the giant snapping turtles would devour our toes trailing in the water, I was in absolute peace.

As I slid along the shoreline, deep lush trees lining the sparkling shore, a bright butterfly flitted against the deep emerald leaves. He fluttered against the deep dark colors of the forest, and his path was clear, in its contrast to the darker tones. The contrast of the bright wings, tiny though they were against the immense but dark forest made him startling bright, capturing my full attention.

This morning, our Church is starting a week long devotion to prayer. People signed up for time slots, one hour for all 24 hours each day for a week to pray for our nation, our military, our church, our families, our world. I signed up for 8-9 this morning, thinking I would be up early, have finished my blog post and efficiently move on to prayer. My best laid plans were as usual, waylaid, not by mice or men but by insomnia. I was up most of the night..... so did spend much of it in prayer but that didn't count. I had signed up for 8-9 a.m., Monday morning.

As 8 a.m. approached, I snarled at my lack of foresight and grumbled a bit at all the things that would now be put aside that needed doing so I could pray. With this admirable attitude, I approached the Throne of Grace. Soon the lightness of soul that always contrasts so darkly with the cares of the world transported me like butterfly wings across the hour. I was shocked to see 9:00 had come and gone, and my hour of prayer had flitted across the morning, leaving a trail of peace and brightness in its wake. A butterfly to carry me on fragile wings to the Presence of God.

Psalm 63:7
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.