The Night the Lights Went Out

The night the lights went out, my oldest farm boy met Jesus. 
He hit the telephone pole by the bank and the lights went out.
The town was in darkness as my boy breathed his last.
I walked around our home stepping into praise as I moved; in darkness.
Praise for my legs, for hot water, for a shower, for clothing.
A practice needed to walk through the darkest time in my life.
He left this earth shy of his 18th birthday, and before his ship date to Parris Island.

Tonight,  our youngest farm boy embarks on a 54 our journey to become a United States Marine.
The journey his brother never made. 
I post on social media.
We ask for candles to be lit and the front porch light left on for these men and women.
I am amazed at the responses.
The lights are on in Jericho for one of their own.
The irony is not lost on me.

What was meant for evil is exposed in the light.
Tonight we leave the light on for the Hotel Company at Parris Island.
We leave the light on in solidarity as these young men and women become some of America’s finest.
Tonight we shatter the darkness with the light.

Christ came to this earth in a defining moment.
He came to bring light.
To be light.
He came so that people may have hope.

He suffered and died on the cross.
He shattered that darkness as he rose from the grave.

He shattered the bonds that hold us.
He came to bring life for all of eternity.

The hope given for all.

The youngest farm boy is finishing what his older brother couldn’t.

He is working through grief and an ache so deep.
The next 54 hours will  be defining moments for these young men and women.

Please join with us as we pray them through these next hours.
Light permeates darkness.

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.