Most parents have had some experience with kids waking up with bad dreams at some point or another. If not bad dreams, then surely every parent has had to deal with invisible monsters hiding in the closet or under the bed.
Recently my wife and I had a bout with our oldest son waking us out of the comfort of our warm bed to come into his room and scare off something that was fear itself.
It was three in the morning and even though it can be the sweetest word on earth when you get home from work, it is not so sweet when heard at three in the morning.
"Daddy"
I came into my son's room to see what the problem was. The first time it was, "I think I saw something." The second time it was, "I think I heard something." The third time it was, "I'm just scared."
I had to get up early in the morning and go to work. I am a very patient man but my sleepiness was wearing my patience down. The wee hours of the morning had me delirious so I warned him, "If you call me one more time, I'm going to give you something to be afraid of." Two minutes later.
"Daddy"
I came into the room and staying true to my promise, even though it hurt my heart to do so, I gave him a tap on the leg; after all, I had to get some sleep. Walking back to my bed like a weary victor of war, I said, "It wasn't easy but that took care of that." Five minutes later.
"Daddy"
I lay in bed for a while at my wit's end on what to do, I had given up.
I knew that if I went and slept in his room with him he would want me to do it every night that he felt fear. I laid there basking in a feeling of stripped victory. In the stillness of the night, a light popped on in my head.
It was a literal light. I saw a picture in my head of a flashlight.
I immediately got out of bed, went to the hall closet, got the flashlight out and took it to my son's room. I handed it to him and told him "Light has a special power to make monsters go away, when you think you see or hear something just cut the light on and shine it in that direction and whatever it is will have to go away."
I went back and got into bed with apprehensiveness against getting to sleep too soundly. I listened for about five minutes then I saw a circle of light shining in my son's room. I waited for that demanding title of "Daddy," but all I heard was the stillness of the night.
This same principle is true in the lives of adults. Many times, we are afraid of that which can really do us no harm.
Our flashlight can be knowledge; most of the time we fear what we don't understand. As we become more enlightened on something that seems scary, peace will come.
The light doesn't really chase away monsters living in the shadows, it just changes our eyesight to see that the room, the business, the school, the marriage, and the assignment is not as scary as it looked without the light on.
Whatever you are afraid of, shine some light on it.
~ James Bronner ~
There is one who knows all your heartache;
He sees ev'ry falling tear;
His grace will bring you rich comfort
And help all your burdens to bear.
Though your path may be strewn with sorrow,
And lonely may be your day,
There's one who will walk beside you
And bring joy and gladness your way.
Though your dearest friend may forsake you,
And loved ones misunderstand,
There's one who will never leave you;
He'll hold to your faltering hand.
Come, kneel at the Cross of the Savior
And cast your cares upon Him!
He graciously bestows pardon
And takes away burden of sin.
There is never a disappointment,
Nor heartache He cannot heal;
He'll answer your soul's deep longing,
As in His blest presence you kneel.
(Kathryn Thorne Bowsher)
Interesting Insights into Jesus' Life and His Death
Jesus began His ministry by being hungry,
Yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty,
Yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary,
Yet He is our rest.
Jesus paid tribute,
Yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon,
Yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept,
Yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver,
Yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter,
Yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died,
Yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.
*Written by Gregory of Nazasazus A.D. 38
O God, You know my weaknesses, that I am poor and destitute, that I cannot do, nor even think any good without You. Arise up then; strengthen me with grace, that I may fervently execute what I have firmly resolved, and not only avoid all evil You forbid, but also perform all the good You command towards others, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
March 13
Learn to live above your circumstances. This requires focused time with Me, the One who overcame the world. Trouble and distress are woven into the very fabric of this perishing world. Only My Life in you can empower you to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer.
As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart. Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances. You gain My perspective on your life, enabling you to distinguish between what is important and what is not. Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33 nkjv
“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
—John 16:22 – From Jesus Calling
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