Darkness has a way of causing us to search for the light of Christ. A month ago I found myself in the ‘valley of the shadow of death’, haunted by its ever-present reality. So I attended a nearby church worship service where intercessory prayer was offered. My wife gave me a nudge and urged me to go forward. A very kind woman gently prayed for me in my darkness. It was a God-inspired moment for which I am most grateful. And eventually, by God’s grace, I found myself walking in the light of God’s love once more.
God won’t leave us in the darkness and while it hurts miserably under that shadow, God will walk with us until we can again see. That is called HOPE. It’s the same hope Jesus had when he too endured times of darkness.
There is a great verse at the beginning of John chapter one. Speaking of Christ, John writes that ‘the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can’t put it out.’
I know others who have walked in the valley of the shadow of death but have held on to the next part of that verse in the 23rd Psalm. ‘I will fear no evil for you, my Lord, my Shepherd, are with me.’
This is the beginning of Lent, an appropriate time to remember our own weaknesses and walk with the one who knows our weaknesses.
Grace Matters 
All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so, so good.
With every breath that I am able,
I will sing of the goodness of God
I will sing of the goodness of God
Dear Pastor George, You recognized where you were. Your lovely wife helped you to take a step closer to the light, not unlike the tradition on Christmas Eve of lighting the candle of the next person during the singing of Silent Night. The difference here was that you purposefully went forward to have your wick refreshed. God Bless you George. Thank you for sharing that light with others.
Thank you Linda. For your insight and encouragement.
G