LIGHT FOR THE DARKNESS

With CHERISH as my guiding word for 2024, I plan to create monthly themes that will help set apart and celebrate each month. I designated January as my month of Light–inspired by my sister, who chose light as her word for the year. Now that the winter solstice has passed, our daylight hours are increasing; but while we wait, I have added additional candlelight to our home altar. This small ritual helps me to appreciate these cold, dark January days. The soft scent of warm wax, the gentle glow of each candle, and the gray winter skies foster a sense of comfort, quietude, and refuge.

Despite this light theme, last night I was awake in the darkness for several hours. It seemed as if my soul was trying to dredge up every worry, sadness, mistake, and regret I have had in recent weeks (and a few from long ago). I don’t believe this was a “dark night of the soul” as John of the Cross once experienced, but oh my, the shadows were numerous and clingy throughout the long night. I was quite relieved when morning came.

So now I am reflecting on this quote by Anne Frank:

Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.

In these times of shadows and nighttime angst, the light of God’s love, like the candle, can both defy and define this darkness in my soul. Maybe God can work more readily in me when I am unable to distract myself or ignore the discomfort. While I am lying still the quiet darkness, the Light of Love can define–illumine, expose, and clarify–these parts of my shadow side that can be deeply hidden or pushed away as I busy myself throughout the day. God’s defining Light of Love has much to reveal and teach me.

The Light of Love then helps defy the darkness. As the hours moved toward dawn, I felt this Light beginning to renew hope, provide peace, offer renewal, grant forgiveness, and inspire my faithfulness. And with the new day, I found that a few happier memories, certain messages on social media, and my daylight contemplations were, I am certain, God’s defiant Light of Love clearing–or at least softening–the shadows for me.

The next time the shadows return, I will remember that the Light of Love remains with me–and will once again rise up to define and defy the darkness until the daybreak comes.

If light is in your heart, you will find your way home. ~Rumi

Photo by Karen