Last night we got a welcomed surprise of rain in our drought suffering area.  Along with the rain came strong winds and lightening.  Out went the lights and it was dark.  I quickly jumped up to find a flash light or lantern, only discover the batteries were dead in most of them.  One small flash light that I keep on my night stand helped me to set out candles.  No problem! For a moment the dark didn't seem too bad. I hoped the lights would come on quickly.  Out the front window I noticed flashing emergency vehicle lights.  Tree branches, broken off in the storm, fell across Main Street blocking the way.  There were policemen and fire personnel as well as city officials in action.  Neighbors from the community driving around to cool off while the power was out in their homes stopped by to watch. It was exciting! After the branches were cleared I stood in the front yard of the parsonage watching the crowd disperse. The emergency vehicles and the bright lights drove off to the next problem and the car lights faded in the distance. With no moon or stars in sight, the downtown area sat dark....except for the small flashlight that I held in my hand. 

How many times do we feel like we are standing in the dark? The storms of life overwhelm us and there appears to be no light for the path ahead. We forget that we hold within us the light of the Almighty, the Prince of Peace, the Light of Hope.  In our scared hands this light might appear small but it is more than enough to light the path; to cast out the darkness and despair.      

I walked into the dimly lit house feeling a little uneasy and wondering when the power might return.  Looking down at my cellphone to check the time I notice several texts from friends offering me shelter from the storm in their fully powered homes.  There it was, the light of Christ shining in the community, casting out the darkness even for me. Thanks be to God! Amen.