Several years ago, on a rainy August day, two young climbers decided to scale the highest summit within Switzerland —Mount Dom. Though they were young and relatively inexperienced, the two men felt confident in their mountain climbing abilities. Too confident, in fact. For despite deteriorating weather, they boldly went forth from the tiny village of Randa at the base of Mount Dom. Their goal—a halfway point called the "High Hut" where they would spend the night before tackling the icy summit the next morning.
The two moved quickly up the forested trail as the rain continued to fall and soon soaked through their inadequate clothing. At 6:00 p.m. the rain suddenly turned to snow. The trail before them became increasingly difficult to follow and they became lost. By 8:00 p.m., night had fallen. It was pitch black, they were soaked, shivering, and heading toward hypothermia. Then, just when their situation was becoming desperate, something miraculous happened.
Out of the darkness, a tiny light began to flicker. Even at a distance, the faint glow shone as bright as a lighthouse beacon to those two shivering, frightened young men. Where did it come from? Before retiring for the night, the Dom’s "High Hut" keeper did what he always did; he placed a kerosene lamp next to the door just in case a beacon might be needed by anyone lost on a dark, stormy night. His simple action saved two lives.
This true story isn’t just a warning for climbers; it should be call to action for every father. Our children start out with great hopes of reaching high places, but they are walking right into the growing darkness of a fallen world.
If left to themselves, even the most confident children will stumble into that world unprepared and destined for disaster. But God’s word lived out in the lives of parents can be the light to bring them into God’s house safely.
Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Our children need fathers and mothers to show them the light of Christ to guide them and keep them safe and warm, both now and forever.
How are you shining the light for your kids?
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I love that image of the lamp. Our world is so very fallen. Thanks for the reminder to shine forth.
ReplyDeleteLara, you are so right about this fallen world. As parents we really must keep shining the light for our kids. --Richard
ReplyDeleteRichard, it was the consistent and simple behavior of this "keeper," that probably went unnoticed, that made the difference between life and death. I think the same is true for us as father's as well. Simple and consistent behavior is what will make the biggest difference in the long run. It will probably go unnoticed most of the time but there will come a day when it will produce a reward. Faith is more caught than taught.
ReplyDeleteLarry, So true. I am still waiting for the long-run pay-off, but I am believing in God for it. And I am praying that He would make me a faithful keeper of the light. --Richard
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