| In a small, cozy house, there lived a six-year-old boy named Lucas. Lucas had a loving family, a room full of toys, and a heart full of imagination. But every night, as the sun set and the stars twinkled, a wave of fear washed over him. It wasn’t the darkness that scared him; it was the solitude, the absence of his parents’ comforting presence in his room. His mother, sensing his fear, installed a gentle nightlight that bathed the room in a warm, soothing glow. His father, in an attempt to ease his son’s anxiety, would leave the closet light on, the door slightly ajar, casting a reassuring beam across the soft carpet. But these efforts, though well-intentioned, didn’t completely calm Lucas’s fears. The nightlight and the closet light weren’t replacements for the comforting presence of his mom or dad. During these anxious nights, Lucas’s parents would take turns sitting by his bed, their presence a quiet fortress against his fears. As he drifted into dreams, their presence was his lullaby, a soft melody of safety and love. This routine worked for a while, but Lucas’s parents knew this wasn’t a lasting solution. Their beloved boy needed to learn to brave the night on his own, to find comfort in their closeness, even when not physically present. One evening, they came up with an idea. They took Lucas’s favorite toy, a Lite-Brite, and crafted a special message on its glowing pegboard. As bedtime approached, Lucas’s eyes were wide with the familiar tinge of fear. His parents, with a reassuring smile, plugged in the Lite-Brite, kissed his forehead, and wrapped him in a warm hug. “You have nothing to worry about, son,” they whispered, tucking him in. “We’ll be right in the next room, just on the other side of this wall. And if you start to feel scared, just look at your Lite-Brite. Read the message shining in the darkness.” With a final goodnight, they stepped out, gently closing the door behind them. Lucas lay in his bed, the shadows of the night dancing around him. His heart began to race, the silence of the room pressing down on him. He remembered his parents’ words and turned his gaze to the Lite-Brite on the other side of the room. In the soft, colorful light, the words “We will see you in the morning” glowed reassuringly. Lucas read them again and again, each word a whisper of his parents’ love and promise. The message was simple, but to Lucas, it was a beacon of hope, a reminder that though he couldn’t see his parents, they were always there, just a wall away. The glowing words became his nightly lighthouse, guiding him through the sea of darkness. Night after night, the message on the Lite-Brite reassured him, and slowly, the fear that had once seemed so overwhelming began to fade. In its place grew a sense of courage, a gentle understanding that even when alone, he was never truly by himself. As the days passed, Lucas learned to embrace the night, his fear replaced with quiet confidence. And every morning, as the sun peeked through his window, casting a warm, golden light across his room, he would wake up with a smile, knowing his parents’ promise was kept, just as the message on the Lite-Brite had said. (A Story by Rev. John Fugh). John shared this story with me a few days before Christmas. Some heard it first from the pulpit in a recent sermon. I think it is a great message as we launch into this new year. So much can happen from one year to the next for it will be filled with moments of love and fun as well as fear and pain. We need the security of God’s presence, comfort, and strength. The prophets of old never knew of a Lite-Brite but they did know of God’s message of “fear not for I am with you.” It is still that same message that he whispers to you today  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Colossians 1 *Tuesday – Colossians 2 *Wednesday – Colossians 3 *Thursday – Colossians 4 *Friday – 1 Timothy 1 Things to Pray About: -The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world. -Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. |
| “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6 |