The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people. Exodus 13:21-22 (NLT)
I have always considered February the “darkest” month. As the month began, it was still dark for some time when I got up in the morning. And there was no light outside as I ate my supper. But one night as I sat down to supper, I realized it was still light out. I wasn’t eating in the dark anymore. The next morning when I got up, the neighborhood was clearly visible and the sun was on the cusp of the horizon. Without me even noticing, there had been just a little more light.
And just a little more light makes a big difference, especially in my attitude. I noticed that subtle shift in my family as well as those I interacted with during the day. Because “just a little more light” means that there will be more light each day from here on out. And just a little more light means that the renewal and restoration of spring is on its way.
This gradual addition of daylight happened without any notice from me. It happened even though I was grumbling and complaining about the dark all the time. It happened even though my attitude was about as dark as the skies. It happened even though I thought the darkness would never end.
Has there been just a little more light in your situation? It might not be anything big or even obvious, but maybe they’ve been calling just a little more often. Maybe they’ve been stopping by just a few more times. Maybe they’ve been going to church just a little bit more. Maybe they’ve been showing up at parent/teacher conferences or your school basketball games a little bit more.
Think about it. Think about the little things that have been happening just a little bit more often. Think about the kind words that have been shared a little more frequently. Think about the smiles and hugs that have been given a little more often. Think about how mom or dad have said, “Sorry” just a little bit more.
When you started this journey of standing and praying for your dad or your mom, I’m guessing it was a pretty dark time. There probably wasn’t a lot of light in your life. But as you continued to pray, continued to walk, continued to trust that Jesus had it all under control, each day saw a little more light. A little more progress on the road of restoration. A few more steps toward salvation. Each day closed the gap just a little bit on your victory.
What? You didn’t notice that? You didn’t realize that Jesus was hearing and answering your prayers? Just because the end isn’t here yet, doesn’t mean there hasn’t been progress. That unconditional love you are showing your dad or mom is working wonders in their lives. Those prayers you pray are making a difference in their direction. Your calling out to God on their behalf is reaching to the heavens and the Lord is shining His light on them, showing them the path they should take. And it’s happening even if you don’t notice it, even if it still seems too dark to you, even if you’ve been whining and complaining.
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16
Yes, it may be just a little bit more light. But a little bit is better than where you were. It may be just a small beginning. But as scripture tells us in Zechariah 4:10a (NLT) – Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
God bless,
