I lay in the tent sick, sick, sick from a reaction to a bee sting. I had finally drifted off to sleep when I was suddenly awakened by a horrible scream. I sat up searching for the flashlight in the dark as the coyotes began to yip and howl. As my heart rate began to come back to normal I realized that the coyotes had taken down something just yards from my tent.
By then Hope Puppy was barking and growling, I tried to pacify her as I settled back down in my sleeping bag. She laid next to me and growled as I tried to get my complaining body comfortable. It was only about 5 minutes later when I realized that I had to "HAD TO" make my way back to the outhouse. I unzipped the tent and stepped into the darkness with my flashlight and that is when ..... my flashlight died. Carrying the flashlight like a club I tried to make my way in the moonless night. it was about then that Hope began growling. I put my hand on her collar as I made my way up the hill looking for the gleam of coyote eyes as I walked. I dragged Hope with me every step of the way.
I have to admit that it was about then that I began to wonder about the wisdom of my plan of camping by myself. As I shakily made my way back to the tent, I kept looking in the dark as I pulled Hope still growling back to the tent. I was flooded with relief as I zipped the tent back up.
As I settled back into my sleeping bag I was filled with the absolute sense of how ridiculous my situation was. Sick, by myself and circled by coyotes .... when were the locusts going to arrive? I whispered another prayer as I pulled Hope Puppy close to me.
As the sun began to come up I finally drifted back to sleep. And somehow everything seemed better in the light of day.
It has got me to thinking about how helpless we often feel in the dark times, it can be hard to see solutions and sometimes the fear is debilitating. but in the presence of the light everything changes. The hidden becomes clear and fear is destroyed.
More than ever, I want to walk in the light and I want the presence of the light to go with me ... even in the dark times.
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Just Connie
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