A Glimpse of Heaven

"In Him (Jesus) was life,and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." - John 1:4-5

I'm a little bit sad that our clocks will soon be "falling back." Yes, we get an extra hour this Sunday morning, but come Monday I will need to be up an hour earlier to catch the sunrise.

Oh, how I love walking that time of day! It's as if the earth and all in it are still hunkered down deep under the covers, oblivious to the alarm poised to wake them. It's silent and still. The only sounds I hear are my shoelaces tapping a rhythm to my pace and the occasional crunch of fallen acorns underfoot.

In these quiet moments I feel keenly connected to my Father in heaven. It's as if we are the only two in the whole world. This is how we converse. This is how we spend time together, my hand in His, walking along.

Though I strain my eyes to see what lies ahead in the pitch blackness, I'm not afraid. I have a constant companion who knows the road well.

He and I have traveled many miles together, so many I can't begin to count them. He has never left me alone in the dark. In fact, it's in these deep moments that I can most appreciate what comes next... the thing just around the bend.

At first it's just a richness that tempers the black. Shades of amethyst and plum mix into the inky sky, but before long the black fades completely into lovely lavenders and lilacs. Then comes the glorious mauves and salmons, pinks and golds... and the darlness is banished forever.

My heart thrills at the sight.

In that moment I have experienced a glimpse of heaven.

Into each life some darkness will come. It will be unwelcome. It will seem relentless.

But...

It will not overtake us. We will not be overcome, for we walk with Him who is the Light...

and in the presence of light, no darkness can stand.