Carl was frozen in fear. Once again, he wouldn’t, or maybe couldn’t walk past the object that terrified him. During the day when the light illuminates all around him, he is big and in charge. He dominates without hesitation. But at night, without the clarity of light, this all changes.
Each night, Carl will arise to go get water or do his business outside. Once he begins the walk back to his bed, the horror begins. On the other side of the bedroom door, lies his worst nightmare.
Bee has picked up on Carl’s fear for months now. Even after Leo left, she has realized that she can stand alone on the other side of the door and keep Carl from entering. She is quiet and stands squarely in the path between the hallway and his bed. Even though she is smaller than he, the darkness transforms her into a horrendous monster.
As I have watched this playout every night from the height of my bed, I wonder why Carl can’t stand erect and walk with the authority that he possesses during the light of the day.
I can’t give my little dog too much grief. I know the power of the dark. Particularly if I am alone, every sound is amplified and every shadow is magnified. What may seem insignificant in the light can be overwhelming in the dark.
I have often been puzzled by what is stated about Jesus in John 1:4 “In Him was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
Jesus came to give life and be the light that we all need in order to experience the true meaning behind this life we are given. I know that He serves as a light for me when the things of this life get overwhelming. When I wonder around in the darkness of not understanding why things happen and how angry the injustice of this life can be, I must turn to the light source to illuminate truth.
In the same way, Carl can’t see that Bee is smaller and more petite than he is. He should have no reason to hold back from walking right past her as he does during the hours of daylight. But the darkness has power over him that keeps him frozen in fear.
I am not sure how I will work this issue out. I may place a light in the hallway that turns on so that Carl can see the object of his fear. But until then, I am willing to get up, pick up my shaking pooch and place him on his bed so that he can feel safe once again.