Could You Stay A Little Longer?

We are not made for the dark.
Children will do their best to prolong bedtime so that the lights do not have to be turned off.
We scramble for flashlights if the power goes out during a storm.
Things look vastly different when they are not seen in the light.

My husband teases me and tells me that I must have “cat eyes.”
He does not understand how I am able to see in the dark.
He doesn’t know that I count steps and can maneuver in that way.
He doesn’t seem to understand when I say, just look for the light.

There is always light, if you look for it.
The moon illuminates as it waxes and wanes.
I am partial to full moons, since it’s as if a heavenly flashlight illumines my path.
Even a fingernail of a moon can edge out the darkness.

Two of my granddaughters were here this past weekend.
The older one wanted her two aunts to put her to bed, since they had come for dinner.
They were delighted to oblige.
There were stories to be read, prayers to be said, and songs to be sung.

Could you stay a little longer? was heard in a four-year-old voice, the room is dark.
The room was no darker than it was the night before when I put her to bed.
They, being my oldest and youngest, are well aware of delay tactics.
There is a nightlight in the room and light from the outside lights on the deck.

My little granddaughter’s question was so sweet.
I understand it.
I can honestly relate.
I may not say those words to a person, but I have said them.

Could you stay a little longer?
Father, don’t leave me.
Lord Jesus, stay by my side.
Holy Spirit, guide me.

I know the truth.
I am not alone.
He never leaves me or forsakes me. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

But sometimes, life is hard.
Sometimes our prayer list is so long, we grow weary.
Sometimes, the suffering we see around us is just too much.
Sometimes, the brokenness appears beyond repair.

But God.
Nothing is too difficult for Him.
We walk by faith, not by sight.
We know that…but sometimes, it’s just hard.

I was cleaning out some folders on my computer.
I found a poem that I wrote over a year ago that I had forgotten and tucked away.
I don’t remember the exact circumstances that caused me to write it.
The words warmed my heart.

In my darkest hour, You are there.
In my darkest minute, You brush past me like a whisper.
In my darkest second, when I fumble for a light, You shine.
Even the darkness isn’t dark to You.
You are Light.
You are Life.
The darkness will never envelop me because You illuminate all the dark corners.
Once I see them as You see them, I am not afraid.

 

The poem was untitled.
However; now, I think I know what the title should be.
Could you stay a little longer?
The question that begs to be asked, is given the resounding answer, YES!

Yes, I’m here.
I know it seems dark, but look to the light.
Look to the LIGHT.
I am. No fear.