The Lamp

 Another storm is blowing in so I turn off all the lights in my bedroom and open the drapes. The fan hums on low, a sleep habit I learned from Robb, but I can still hear an occasional rumble. The sky is dimly lit behind the row of pine trees on the neighbor’s property line. Sky lightening flashes and I think of all the times we used to watch the storms roll in together. That’s one of the things I loved about this house when we bought it. It backs up to a park, so there’s enough open space toward the west we see a fare bit of sky. I mull over thoughts of the week in the flashing dark. 

I haven’t heard his voice in nine days. I didn’t even realize it’s been that long, I’ve been productive and busy and happy. Madison had friends over, we picked apples, made apple crisp. Megan came home for the weekend, the fall weather was beautiful and we did fun things. We wandered to local art studios, took in the beauty of the arboretum, played Dutch Blitz. 

I’m slowing becoming accustomed to being alone in decisions and duties and life and yet it seems strange that we haven’t spoken in over a week. It wasn’t on purpose and I don’t know what that means. 

I text him and we decide to catch up. We talk for an hour and a half. 

There’s no right or wrong in how we should or shouldn’t communicate, no guidebook for how this is done. 

I honor my pain but I don’t let it boss me. 

We walk an unknown path and peer into the dark. When the storm lights flash dimly, His Word, the Lamp, lights the way, steady and unfailing.

“Live in harmony...do not repay.”

“Bless and do not curse.”

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”*

Step.

Step.

Step. 

*Romans 12. The whole dang chapter.❤️