The Unclaimed Gift: When Darkness Falls

When Darkness Falls

2 Samuel 22:29 “For You are my lamp, O Lord. The Lord gives light to my darkness.”

In a way we barely understand, military mothers live every day with the knowledge that their child has agreed to die for complete strangers. Agreed to die for the Godly and the godless. Agreed to die for the freedom of every man, woman, and child whether that freedom is appreciated or not.

The word die is harsh. It evokes an emotion that we try to push far from our thought process. We would deny even the existence of the word if we could. There is darkness of thought that comes with even saying that word. It breeds a fear that threatens your very sanity.

In truth, most soldiers will come home safe to their loved ones. Statistically there is more of a chance of them being killed in an auto accident at home than on the battlefield, so precise and trained are our military men and women. But that knowledge doesn’t take away the fear, the heartache, the worry, the dull throbbing knowledge that is ever present in each hour of the day.

God regularly wraps His arms around me, reminding me that He is there. That He has gone through the agony of losing a child. That He knows what my fear and worry and heartache feels like. I feel selfish in my fear. I am trying to bear a burden that He would not have me bear. I pray constantly for the women who do not have the knowledge of God’s love as they worry about their child at war. I pray that they will feel His mercy. That His light will break through the darkness, giving them peace.

He gave His Son to save me from my sins. When I am on my knees, unable to speak the words of fear that lie in my heart, I am covered by the Holy Spirit that Christ placed in my heart when I accepted Him. Romans 8:26-27 reminds me that “the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…..The Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying…”

Dearest Father God, My mother’s heart is struggling tonight. The sins of fear and worry are creeping into my thoughts. Let the groaning of my soul make their way to Your Loving Heart. Cover me and all my military mother friends with Your mercy. Give us a gentle reminder that You are there for us. That You will not leave us. That You are and always will be our protector and our strength. In the name of our Beloved Brother, Christ Jesus, Amen

scriptures from NLT & NLV versions of the Bible