Christ's light behind the shadows

One night I found myself taking out the trash and recycling to the cans behind our house and forgot to turn on the light. Though I had been behind our house a thousand times, there were eerie shadows that quickened my pace back to the house. Looking out from our living room window at the shadows that frightened me, they were things that in the daylight are not scary - trees, fences, shed, etc. But, just something about the shadows made it frightening.

In order for a shadow to form, a solid figure has to block the light that is coming from behind it. What is left in front of the object is a shadow. So, even in the shadows there is light.

This got me thinking about some of the scary shadows that can form in our daily lives. Christ's light is always shining, but sometimes things block it and what remains are shadows to frighten us. How many times have I quickened my pace from something that was bringing me closer to the light of Christ and holiness because it was frightening in my mind? How many times has the truth and beauty gotten twisted by my own lack of receptivity and solidness? How many times have I simply turned my back on the light of Christ because of my own sinfulness?

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Father in Heaven,

There are many good things you put in our lives and through my own weaknesses, sinfulness, or fears they can often get twisted and seem like dark shadows. Please help me truly look at the shadow and see the light coming from behind it - the light of Christ. Give me the graces I need to not be afraid.

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth