She looked at me intently as we sat on the back porch of her lovely, Oregon home. The river below and the hushed evening noises were a well-crafted soundtrack to her words. She spoke of "the dark night of the soul" and studied my eyes to see if I was tracking with her. I don't think I comprehended then, but I felt her burden and her words stayed with me.
Since then, I have become acquainted with the dark night of the soul. Some call it a wilderness experience; it feels heavier. Grief and confusion, anger and misery combine in a potent cocktail that is numbing, heartbreaking, devastating. Life becomes one big crying out to the Lord, because He is the only possible arbiter of a raging inner firestorm. His words become the only lifeboat in the smothering waves.
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you....Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
The confident tone of this amazing promise would be laughable if it was not spoken by Jesus, on His resolute journey to the Cross. His dark night was at Gethsemane; He is with us at ours. Because He has been there, He knows the way. In the claustrophobic darkness, that answers our greatest need. Which way do I turn, Lord? Turn to Me.
"Dark hours come to us all; ... We will be in a state of continual dread....unless we have learned to trust in the perpetual presence of Him who can make and keep a "great calm" within the soul. Only let nothing come to you that you will not instantly hand over to Him--all petty worries, all crushing difficulties, all inability to believe." - F.B. Meyer
I cast my cares on You, Lord.
Wow...Joanne...do your talents ever end? Reading your beautiful words make me feel like a complete amatuer...but we each have much to say. Thank you for your words of encouragement to continue to seek the Lord through my "dark hours". God is faithful to meet us there.
ReplyDeleteLove you, Friend. Keep writing! I want to know your heart more.
*amateur*...sorry, dyslexia got in the way. LOL
ReplyDeleteDear Jamie: I read your blog and wanted to comment, but I'm such as amateur (what a word to spell!) that I ended up becoming a blogger instead! =)
ReplyDeleteDitto! Love it when you use your words paint a picture! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm blessed that you are now a blogger. I've always wanted to know you better and I believe there is no better way to get to know someone than through their blog.
ReplyDeleteYou have a gift for words; now I know where your girls get it from. :) Love you. Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging.