Lenten Devotional March 13, 2021

Even though daylight starts to increase after the Winter Solstice on December 21, darkness predominates during the winter and those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) feel blue, lack energy, and are subject to weight gain from eating too many carbs during the darkness. Add to that, the year-long Corona-virus Pandemic and the darkness seem unbearable.

Recently I was treated for a mass behind my left eye with a gamma knife (a method using gamma rays instead of cutting into the brain). Having something growing in your head pressing on your eye is very frightening and distorts your vision. The neurosurgeon explained I would first be fitted with a mask so I didn’t move my head during the procedure. He put a hot material on my face and explained it would cool down rapidly and confirm to my skull. Next, I was moved into a very narrow chamber and told not to move for the duration of about 6 or 7 songs on the Oldies station.

The nurse put a warm blanket on me and turned off the lights. I felt alone and was frightened. My heart was beating a mile a minute. It was very dark! I decided to pray. I prayed that God would guide my doctors and that Jesus would be with me in that dark chamber. I had the urge to blink and clear my throat but didn’t want to get yelled at. It seemed like an eternity before the procedure ended. They turned on the lights and I was grateful that the Lord was with me and with my doctors and nurses. Jesus was with me in the darkness. My doctor told me he prayed for me too.

Have you had an experience where you felt you were in darkness? What restored light in your life?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of your son, Jesus Christ, for forgiveness of sin and for all the blessings you have bestowed on me. Thank you for being with me in the darkness. Be our ray of light. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Amen.