A Lesson Learned in the Dark

I am writing these words on a warm sunny, April day, remembering the cold, icy days with which April began. I, like many in the Rochester area, spent several days without electricity (three to be exact). I was semi-prepared for the experience in that I had paid some attention to the forecasts of a possible impending ice storm. I had gone to Wegman’s and stocked up on groceries and some extra batteries for my flashlight. Of course, when the power went off Friday night, it dawned on me too late that I had no idea where my flashlight was. I tried to find it in the dark without success. It then occurred to me that my Palm device would shed enough light to help me search for my flashlight. It worked.

I could cook with my gas stove and use it for a little bit of heat.. I have a gas hot water so I could take hot baths to warm up. I could listen to the radio to catch up on happenings and listen to the Syracuse Final Four basketball game. It allowed me to have some empathy for the people of Baghdad. Of course, I did not have to worry about bombs falling.

The hardest time I had was on Sunday. My hopes were raised when I spotted a repair truck working across the street from the church. I went over and welcomed the repair crew. It was great to see them. They assured me that power would be on shortly for our whole area. Indeed, within twenty minutes power was restored to our church and practically every home in the surrounding area. There were a few exceptions. My house was one of them. Sunday night I could look out the back window of my house and see all the homes in the housing development there with lights burning brightly. My house was cold and dark. The bright warm houses surrounding me only deepened my suffering.

It made me think of the stories I have heard of the torture felt by poor children in other countries looking through restaurant windows watching tourists eat. How hard it is to be on the “outside” viewing the blessings of those on the “inside.” Our world has many of these. I was reminded too of Jesus’ description of those who are to be left in outer darkness at the final judgment. May our sympathies be stirred for all those left out in the dark.

2003 C. David Hess