Thursday, November 29, 2012

Light in the Darkness


The evening before Thanksgiving my grandfather passed away.  He has always been a vibrant, strong man whose vitality belied his 89 years.  A few weeks before his death, he fell ill with pneumonia and while recovering in the hospital, suffered a stroke.  Wanting to be near, my parents drove the hundreds of miles that separated them from my grandparents and spent time ministering to their needs.  Reluctantly but necessarily, they returned home.  While my dad took care of things at home, my mom made arrangements to return to her parents.  Two hours after my mother's plane landed and she was at her father's side, he made his way into eternity.

Today, my mom ministers to my grandmother still, crying with her, laughing with her and comforting her.  My dad, holding down the fort at home, misses mom terribly.  He is anticipating her return and can barely wait until her plane lands to wrap his arms around her.

Being at loose ends, my dad came to visit our family last Sunday evening.  All of the children wrestled for a place next to "poompa" (a long story) and each wanted to be involved in making up his bed on the couch.  Miss Serenity donated one of her pillows, Princess Dragon Snack pulled out some blankets and Maid Elizabeth, knowing that her grandpa had a nasty cough, located a tiny oil lamp that was designed to heat medicine (we used Vick's) to relieve the symptoms of a cold.

The oil lamp is tiny - about 5 inches overall - with a miniature, frosted chimney.  This particular lamp was not designed to provide light, it is much too small, rather it was designed to heat a basin that is filled with medicine, that in turn, is diffused into the room.

As Dad was getting ready for bed, Maid Elizabeth lit the lamp and told her grandpa that he could leave it on all night.  Not only would it make the room smell nice, it would act as a simple night-light as well. We said our goodnights, turned off the lights and headed to bed.  The little lamp, with its tiny, glowing chimney, proved not to be the least bit intrusive, offering only the tiniest amount of light.

Awake in the middle of the night, I got up to check on my sleeping family.  As I walked out of our bedroom, I was greeted by an almost blinding light!  Looking around the room to see what light had been left on, my glance fell to that little, tiny oil lamp.  The lamp, less than 5" tall, with a chimney 1 1/2" tall, was lighting an entire 30'x30' shouse!

We have been living in an "enlightened" time.  The truth of God's word has illuminated our nation and our world.  Many of us have allowed our "lights" to grow dim or even go out - who needs our light when there is so much light in the world?  But, our world, our nation, our families are growing dark.  We have forsaken our God and with that, we have lost our light.

Christians - Children of God - Followers of the Way - the world is growing dark.  Fill your lamps with oil, trim the wicks - now is your time.  The darker it becomes, the brighter your light will shine - you will become beacons of hope in a dark world.  You were made for such a time as this.  Let your light so shine that it glorifies your Father in heaven.

As my Grandmother is in the midst of the darkness, my mother lights the way.  Likewise, as this world is plunged into darkness, it is now our job to light "The Way".

14 comments:

  1. Enola, I am very sorry for your earthly loss, but happy that your grandfather has gained his eternal home. May God comfort you and your family as you mourn your loss. I hope you have many happy memories to sustain you.

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  2. A beautiful post, friend. We've also been feeling the urgency to be that light again.
    So sorry for your loss. We'll be praying for you and your family.

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  3. Amazing things can be discovered within the veil of grief. Thank you for sharing with us. Please place a hand on your grandmother's shoulder for me. Three days, three weeks, and three months were the hardest. Your whole family is in my prayers.

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  4. Isaiah 57:1,2 The righteous perish,
    and no one takes it to heart;
    the devout are taken away,
    and no one understands
    that the righteous are taken away
    to be spared from evil.
    2 Those who walk uprightly
    enter into peace;
    they find rest as they lie in death.

    To know that one day, probably a lot sooner than any of us think, we will rejoice with our beloved ones once again and in our heavenly, glorified bodies. What a great day of rejoicing, hugging, dancing and just loving one another again. Yet, while here in our earthly abode, we must mourn their loss and miss them terribly. And in it all they left us something of themselves - a legacy of their love. And only each one knows the special legacy meant just for them.

    Bless you and your family as you mourn, dear ones. Know the God of all comfort holds you and your poompa in His tender loving arms....until you meet again.
    Pat

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  5. Dear Enola Gay,
    With Deepest Sympathy
    God is for us a refuge and strength,
    A help that is readily to be found during
    distresses. Psalm 46:1

    My heart goes out to you and your family.
    God Bless Your Grandfather.

    Your Friend,
    Sandy, Oklahoma Transient

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  6. Enola, ( Though I don't know you I feel it ok to address you this way), I was truly stirred by your posts of this date. You have surely shined a light on an area of great need in our nation, our states, as well as our individual homesteads or homes. I thank you for taking the time to inform and remind your readers of the importance of being a "light" into their world. I offer my humble prayer up for your families' loss and know that you share in the knowledge of that rejoicing in the future.

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  7. I have to say I was deeply moved by your post. I have had this deep sense of mourning for our country and its people. The recent election only re -enforced my feelings. Though my hope is in God I had lost focus that we are here to be a light till He comes again. Thank you for reminding me. So sorry for your loss and I pray God will comfort you and your family.

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  8. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)

    Enola, I offer my sincerist condolences on the passing of your Grandfather.


    Tonight, I was able to spend a few hours with the "Dad" next door to me (the father of those two twins I always write about) Mom, left for the evening. Uncle Capt.Crunch was drafted as backup support for Dad and the Twins who will be four months old on December, 16.
    Dad was holdong one twin, I held the other. I spent the evening making a four month old laugh, giggle and smile. I also kept a pacifier handy. The twin I had was the one who feel asleep in my arms a few months back. That became a life changing moment for me, another 80 degree turn on my path in life (I have had several others in the past)
    The point I am making is life will go on, one way or another. Enola, you and Sir Knight are blessed with a full house, you guys have won a lottery that is worth more than that recent $500 million dollar lottery. The lottery you guys won is priceless.

    As per what some people are saying on this blog about "mourning for our country and its people" I respect what they are saying, but this is about life. Life will go on, God programed that into us. A global nuclear war could wipe out half the worlds population and the next day the sun will still rise, and in far off corners of the world, children will still be born.

    It will never change...

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  9. Enola,

    Thank you for a very touching post as well as a reminder that we are to be lights always. I will pray for your family, most especially your grandmother to have peace and comfort during the days ahead. May God continue to bless you and your dear family.

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  10. Enola, please accept my deepest condolences on the death of your dear Grandfather. Your post touched me for several reasons, the deepest of which is the fact that my own Mother also passed last Wednesday. Such sad days :(

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  11. Enola,
    You and your family have been spiritual lightbearers for us who are reading your posts.
    I pray that you and yours of four living generations will each and all find peace and comfort in the Promises of our Lord, Christ during this sorrowful loss of your Grandfather.
    For He has given His own life on earth to bless us with the everlasting gift of joyful eternity if we believe, give praise, repent, and serve Him in all our earthly actions, and faithfully obey his Father's Commandments.
    May G*d allow you to continue shining your light.

    I will pray the travelers prayer for you Enola.

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  12. well said Ms. Gay. peace to all. Shadowfaxhound

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  13. May the Lord bless and keep you and your family-especially your grandmother- and wrap His arms around you to give you comfort. May you all have many special moments that bring sweet, healing joy to your hearts as you think of your grandfather and the blessed times you had together.
    You can add me to the list of your many on-line friends who will be keeping you and your entire family in my prayers!
    mary (ft laud)

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  14. Ms. Enola,

    My heartfelt sympathy. Father God, comfort, strengthen and shelter this family. Amen

    Yes, our country is in dire straits. God has promised "...then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land..." ~ 2 Chron. 7:14 ~ I don't believe He is talking about earthly land

    God loves His children!

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