This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
My husband, Danny, and I have many things in common, but the time when we arise in the morning isn't one of them. If I'm not up and moving around with coffee in hand before 7:30, I've overslept. Danny? He can sleep until 9:30 and not regret one minute of shut eye.
Now, this time gap leads to a disparity of need. After about an hour of coffee, email checks and reflective prayer, I'm more than ready for my shower. I never feel fully awake until I have one in the morning. This maneuver calls for some stealthy steps on my part so I don't disturb Danny's peaceful slumber.
The bedroom is dark. Really dark. The shades are drawn, and the faint light that seeps in above the bathroom sink is minimal at best. I cautiously enter the bathroom, not daring to flip the light switch until the door is quietly closed. When I start my shower, I raise the lever up so that the cascading water makes as little splash as possible, lest I rouse the sleeping beauty.
Once the shower ends and I'm prepared to exit the bathroom, I'm mindful to turn off the light before opening the door. Furtively, I deposit my pajamas in our hamper and silently pad, bare-footed, to my bureau to ferret out undergarments, often making wrong calls as to how these should be appropriately fitted. A tedious effort, indeed, when one can't see clearly!
Slowly, I complete the dressing process, then head back to the wan light of the sink area to comb out my hair. Even the sliding out of a drawer to retrieve my comb has me hoping I haven't disturbed Danny. My eventual exit of the room displays the ancient art of the tip-toe.
Whew! I've successfully navigated another morning in the dark, but it isn't without effort or, dare I say, inconvenience.
Because the dark is not a welcoming place. When in it, we are immediately careful, cautious, stealthy, and hesitant. We cannot fully see where we are going, and that in itself, is disconcerting. We need the confidence that light brings to successfully navigate the pitfalls and dangers that could lie in wait for us if conditions are too shadowy to see them coming.
But thanks be to God that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is the light of the world! Through His life and His words, we can see clearly what is expected of us as believers and children of God. In Him, there is no darkness. No more stumbling around in a world where the evil one's obstacles threaten to thwart our every move.
In Jesus' light, we find clarity. By it, we are encouraged in hope and faith and trust.
In Jesus, there is no darkness.
Only the promising dawn of a new day.
Amen!
We live in a dark world. I pray for the Light of Jesus to shine and brighten things up. Great post Martha! Although...I'd wake him up. LOL (Jo says I have a little meanness in my bones. Seriously?)
ReplyDeleteLol, Bill, there can't be a mean bone in your body, no matter what Jo says. :) No, I just let him sleep to his heart's content. And yes, this world is so dark, especially these days. Please, Lord, let Your light shine!
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a sweet wife you are, Martha! I might be persuaded to do that once; twice, perhaps. But not every morning without injuring a body part. How perfectly you've described what feelings wash over us while trying to navigate the dark. Please Jesus, shine your light over our dark world!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Myra, for your too kind words here. It isn't fun at all navigating in the dark, and I'm praying with you that Jesus would shine His light, dispelling all the darkness and shadows in our world today.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful post...and isn't it wonderful when we can see clearly in the light of God? He has sent Jesus to us as the Light of the World, so that we need not live in darkness anymore. (except when our mate is still sleeping. I've had some mornings like that too, although usually we are both up at the crack of dawn if not sooner!) Thank you for an excellent post and a wonderful reminder of this Light that we are so blessed to be living in.
ReplyDeleteYes, Pamela, we are so blessed to live in the Light of Jesus. He gives us guidance, wisdom and the ability to see other people as children of God, whether those folks view the world the way we do or not. What a gift!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Sorry I'm late visiting you today. It was a dark morning this morning with too many clouds, and it is more dark right now in the early evening with rain and thunder.
ReplyDeleteThe words "bare-footed" caught my eye in your post today. Obviously you do not have the added fun of Lego bricks everywhere. You're missing out in some great fun Martha. Buy a set and spread the bricks everywhere.
I pray with you for Christ's Light in a world that prefers darkness.
God bless.
Lol, Victor, I remember those Lego days when my kids were young - ouch!!! I don't think there's anything more painful than stepping on one of those. It's cause, unfortunately, for the utterance of choice words that a Christian should never use!
DeleteYes, this world, sadly, prefers darkness. May Christ's light illuminate even the most shadowy corners.
Love and blessings!
I had to giggle as I read your post because I have always gotten up before Joe. I take my undies to the bathroom the night before and leave them on my vanity. I choose my outfit and hang it on the closet door, also ready for me in the near darkness. This has been going on for our entire marriage as I was out the door before 7:00 a.m. while working. I get it! And yes, praise God for leading us from the darkness!!
ReplyDeleteAt last, someone who gets it! Terri, I've often thought of laying things out the night before, but somehow, I don't remember when it's bedtime. I do have a soft light that comes on when I open my wardrobe - it's not bright enough to wake Danny, but does allow me to choose some sort of matching outfit, so that's a boon. And let us never cease to praise God for leading us out of the darkness!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, this is a beautiful post. Navigating in the dark is a herculean challenge--when I'm trying to be quiet to not disturb anyone is the time I make a ridiculous amount of noise!
ReplyDeleteThe world is a very dark place indeed--it is getting darker by the day. I'm so thankful for Jesus who is the True Light of the World.
Love and blessings!
Isn't that always the way, Kim? When we're trying our best to be quiet, we'll bump into something or knock something over, only to defeat the whole purpose of allowing someone to sleep in peace.
DeleteAnd I must agree - this world is dark and getting darker by the day. Come, Lord Jesus, shine Your everlasting light!
Love and blessings!
Before I retired my alarm would go off at 4:30am and I was at the bus at 5:30am and at work about 6:30am. That also involved some quiet movement about the house. I didn't get back home until 5:30pm or later. One of the great pleasures of retirement is sleeping until you wake up. I am so blessed to have Martha and her sweet heart.
ReplyDeleteOh, Danny, how I treasure your kind heart and understanding, always and everywhere! I do remember those days, especially when I was working, too, and I really needed those early morning movements of yours to help me rouse and realize I needed to get ready for the day. Love you, honey, for everything you do and all the hours of sleep you treasure. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
I think I could run a tank through our bedroom and not wake Wk. He is the early riser of the two of us, however; he sleeps soundly. I on the other hand am in agreement with Danny on this, as I like to sleep until 9:30. Neither of us have a problem with the darkness. I have accent lights all over the place. I am afraid of the dark. Oh, I hate to admit that! Thank you Lord Jesus for bringing the light into the world. Thank you, Martha and blessings.
ReplyDeleteNells, it takes courage as an adult to admit you are still afraid of the dark. We do have two nightlights in our bedroom that help somewhat in this area, but they aren't foolproof. It is just, well, dark! And lucky for you that Wk is a sound sleeper. No worries there! I'll make sure Danny knows he has a friend in the late sleeper club. :)
DeleteThank you, Jesus, for Your light unto this world!
Love and blessings!
What a sweet post Ms. Martha. Mr. Danny is a lucky guy. I too have to be on my most quiet behavior. My day usually starts around 4am or so; but my sweetie sleeps (when she can sleep) until at least 8:30. I learned to overcome the disparity in sleep patterns by showering each evening instead. :-) Now that I'm home, I don't worry about shaving each morning, etc.; the cows don't seem to mind. I love your analogy to light ma'am. God's blessings.
ReplyDeleteWow, J.D., you are an early riser! My friend, Pastor Bill who commented above, must be your kindred spirit as he regularly does the same. Running a ranch has its demands, that's for sure, and starting the day early gives you a wonderful head start on the chores in need of doing. I'm glad to know, too, that I'm not the only one who allows my spouse to enjoy a schedule that suits the need of sleep. Sounds like we are both infinitely blessed!
DeleteMay Jesus continue to shine His light in your life, and into all the world.
Love and blessings!
You and Danny sound like Scott and I. However, Scott could (and has) sleep through an earthquake! I don't need to be quiet or tiptoe around in the dark. But the very fact that you do this for him is precious and made for a great post.
ReplyDeleteScott slept through an earthquake??? Talk about a sound sleeper! :) Thanks for your kind words here, Beckie. I know that when we love someone as deeply as both of us love our husbands, we will do whatever it takes to make their lives peaceful and calm. We shine the light of Jesus upon them!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I found your post amusing because it sounds a lot like what sometimes happens at our house! My dear husband works so hard and such long hours, I am so careful not to disturb him when is finally getting some rest. SO thankful for him. We both have wonderful husbands and are so blessed - and we are both so very grateful, indeed. May the Lord bless you and Danny with much health and many more happy years together, in Jesus' name!
ReplyDeleteYes, Cheryl, both of us are abundantly blessed with loving, caring husbands, and that is something to give thanks for each and every day. May God continue to bless you and Kevin, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautifully-phrased word pictures here, Martha Jane! (which explains your success as a writer!!).
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I often pray that we will be salt and light in our neighborhood, and everywhere we go. Both are in great need in today's world.
Thank you for such a good post about how much better off we are when we have light!
Oh, yes, Barbara, this world is in dire need of the salt and light we, as Christians, can offer it! As fast as the Covid-19 spreads, I find myself wishing the truth of God's Word would spread just as fast and take hold on those who now walk in darkness.
DeleteSo glad you liked the post, my friend!
Love and blessings!
Your kindness and thoughtfulness toward your sleeping husband are touching! Good reminder that all light is reflected Light!
ReplyDeleteIt is, indeed, all reflected light, Laurie, as we depend on our loving Savior to be able to provide the only light that matters. May we ever be ready to share His light both on those we love, and on those who don't even know how to love in His name.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Im an early riser too and have been but was surprised to marry an even earlier rise. One that doesn't require as much sleep as me either. Have you read Barbara Brown Taylor's book about dark? it is sooooo good.
ReplyDeleteOh, no, I haven't read that, Jean, but I'll definitely have to. I have read other books by her, and she is phenomenal!
DeleteLove and blessings!