LIGHT IN DARKNESS 


By Tessa Harvey


During the night the monitor started beeping. The instruments were flat-lining. Without being asked, Gladys slipped into the small waiting room as staff rushed to the bedside of her daughter.

The older lady knelt on the worn carpet and bowed her head. The stiff pile did not smell very nice. Glad groaned aloud and prayed earnestly. Suddenly she was aware of the Presence of God and a heavenly perfume filled her airways. She breathed in deeply. She felt the words "Be still and know that I am God."

At the same time, Bill was calling Lois, his younger daughter. He told her about Simone briefly. "Well, why aren't you at the hospital with mum, dad?" was the somewhat acerbic response.

Bill tried to explain about Lacey. There were more recriminations. Finally her father cut her short. "Lois, I have to pray. There is money coming to you now to pay for a flight home. Let the college know, let me know and I can meet you at the airport," and he hung up.

Lois was startled out of her selfishness, shocked her mild father could be so decisive. She realised she had been despising him lately when he had lost his former job, because of his age. Of course, there was a nice farewell and a redundancy package...but still he had found other work.

Quickly Lois wrote a note to her flatmate, sent an email to the college, phoned the airline for a flight, and was grateful she was allowed to fly.

Then she stuffed some clothes and other necessary items in her backpack. As she left, she messaged her dad's mobile and then called an airport taxi. She didn't feel she could pray.


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