In the Dark

        Because of the extreme temperatures of late in this part of West Texas, driver ed. sessions are being held either early in the morning or late in the evening.  Those highways are burning up; add to that the fact that we have construction traffic and oil field traffic in our county like never before.  Those roads during the midday are no place for a fifteen-year-old novice driver. 

        Tonight as we neared home from our nightly drive, my students and I caught sight of a small explosion off in the distance.  As we rounded Gail Mountain, we were able to put two and two together:  no lights, no electricity = blown transformer.  True, Gail doesn't have that many lights, but the few we have are pretty vital.  It was pitch black except for our headlights, the only ones in town at that very moment. 

         After dropping off the kids, I came home and used the light from my cellphone to make my way into the house.  Losing electricity happens frequently around here, so candles and flashlights are handy.  I got the house smoking with candles--a blend of  Beach Walk,  Cinnamon Vanilla, Eggnog Delight along with Rustic Leather (one of my  little Sixth Grade cowboys  gave that to me for Christmas).  I should better coordinate my candle scents, I suppose, but at 10 p.m. who really cares other than Martha Stewart and my daughter Julie.

          I tried to play the piano by candlelight, but that didn't go too well.  Thought about reading a la Abe Lincoln, but the dogs always insist on sitting in my lap when I read.  Juggling a candle and the dogs and the book just wasn't safe.  I'd hate to have a song written about me for being responsible for burning down the entire community of Gail America. 

           After thirty minutes of being in the dark, I grabbed the flashlight to take the dogs out back.  The yard was free of snakes and skunks, so I sat down and decided to just wait out this loss of electricity under a clear night sky.  One of the best moves I have ever made.

           One glance upward and immediately came to mind how the heavens do indeed declare the glory of God. More than just a song lyric, stars really do twinkle, especially on a moonless evening in West Texas.
           I could make out a few airplanes crossing the night sky and wondered if the passengers in those planes were looking down as I was looking up, just as amazed at the specks of light they were viewing from 35,000 feet.  I did not envy them--my light show, not man made, was far better. 

           Here I was, in the dark, and happy to be so.

          This summer of 2011 seems to be on a mission.  The drought's fury rages on, with cracks now 15 inches deep in my yard and stretching for several feet across the baked land.  Water is to be consumed only as needed--no quenching our yards and minimal water usage in our homes.  Conserving is critical.  The heat wave continues with record-setting consecutive days of temperatures over 100 degrees (topped at 112 just this past Sunday).  And then tonight, a couple of hours without electricity.  

           While the earth's surface is naked and void of vegetation, the heavens blanket us with stars.

           While the clouds withhold their moisture, the clear night sky floods us with beauty.

           While in the dark, I see the light.
           Our Creator is maintaining the balance.