March 31: No Ordinary Light

I’m sheltering with nine people – my husband Nathan and our eight kids. By God’s grace, we have yet to have a major blowup, and by God’s provision (through kind friends), we have yet to run out of toilet paper. 

My main job right now is to break up the humdrum of our day-to-day sameness by making things “interesting” – what interesting meal can I make with what’s in the refrigerator? What interesting crafts and games can we come up with? What interesting virtual playdates and trips can I schedule for the afternoon? So far, I’ve baked apple strudel, we’ve made popsicle stick catapults, and we’ve learned a new line dance.

And that’s been the easy part! The greater difficulty has been fielding the kids’ questions.

“Is anyone coming over today?”

“When can we go to the library?”

“How much longer will this go on for?!?!?”

I try my best to answer their questions, doing what I can to calm their restlessness, and their hearts. Then I quickly bounce back to “cheerleader” mode! Who wants to line dance?

The truth is, behind my bold front, I am just as uncertain as my children are. I don’t have the answers. I feel anxious and unsettled, too. And so I go to my father, my Heavenly Father. 

James 1:17 (ESV) tells us that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

During this time of uncertainty, one thing is certain. God knows what lies ahead. He is sustaining us through this time with His gifts of peace and love. He is our solace and aid. And for Him, this isn’t some bold front. He truly is, and always has been, our steady foundation, especially during shaky times. He is our hope, our light in the darkness. 

And this is no flickering candle, no glimmer in the distance, no ordinary light. This is a light that “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5 ESV). Another favorite verse of mine says, “Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you” (Psalm 139:12 ESV).

This feels like a time of darkness, but remember this: it is not darkness to the Father of lights. Take some time today to sit with your Heavenly Father and bask in His light.

Lord, You are the Father of Lights,

Your glory shines like an eternal sun and warms our souls.

We ask You to shine Your light on this present situation,

and give us Your comfort and peace.

And Lord, shine Your light on the darkness in me,

that I may not forget to love my neighbor,

that I may not dwell on anxious thoughts,

that I may not grow weary of doing good

for those in my household.

Amen

Shelter in Peace,

Rita Baird