A Short Story: Light in the Shadows
Sierra sat up in bed staring at her laptop screen. She searched for a ray of hope to get through another challenging day.
It had been 18 months since her fiancé was killed in a fatal car crash.
All hope died with Seth.
So much of her life died that day too. She lost Seth, so much of herself,
her hope and dreams.
Shades of darkness, grief, anxiety, and depression weighed her heart down.
She continued to look for something written that might encourage her. Tears began poured down her cheeks as she cried from her despairing heart.
Her light of hope was growing dimmer with each passing discouraging day.
A few minutes later she found a blog called Light in the Shadows.
With her eyesight blurred by tears, Sierra started to read a poem;
A Hope for Tomorrow
Black clouds of uncertainty
leave you no hope;
as you stumble and fall
down a discouraging slope.
Into your valley of
lonely despair,
Jesus is asking you
to meet Him right there.
He’ll raise you from your valley
restoring lost hope,
giving you strength as
you learn to cope.
He is your light of hope
in all of the pain;
joy comes in the morning
so you can dance in the rain.
He knows your sorrows
and just how you feel,
aware you are hurting
and wants you to heal.
He heals your broken places
and calms the fears;
be your light of hope for
all of your years.
Let the Lord radiate your path
for today and tonight,
taking you out of the shadows
and into His light.
Surrender all of your burdens
and broken heart,
Jesus is your comforter
in Him healing will start.
You are wonderfully made
and He loves you,
knowing just when you’re
happy or blue.
One day at a time he’ll help
you to stand,
as you walk in faith toward
all He has planned.
In Him, you have a purpose
and are here for a reason,
the struggles you face
are for a time and season.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
The title of the video at the end grabbed her attention.
Take My Hand
Based on words to a poem by Anne Peterson
Video credit:Jessica Peterson
Sierra began to dry to her tears. Realizing it was time.
To find her way back to the God she left behind when Seth died.
It had been over a year since she prayed or read her Bible.
Closing the lid to her laptop she rose up from her bed.
Grabbing her Bible she opened it up to the first verse she saw. It said;
“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.” 2 Samuel 22:29 (NIV)
What about you?
Can you remember a time when you’ve felt broken and discouraged?
What have you found helpful in those difficult seasons of life?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
