Darkness

"It is good that I have been afflicted, That I may learn your statutes" Psalm 119:71

Oswald chamber's "My utmost for the highest" is my favourite devotional. I am going three years straight with it.
The reading on Valentine's day came in at an oppurtune moment, just after I recieved some very bad news. It meant all my planning for the past few months had come to nothing. It was like being thrust to darkness again. http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/my_utmost/utm.cgi?0214
But like pain (read "the gift of pain" PaulBrand , Philip Yancey), even darkness has its purposes. Here is the poem that came to me that day!

Even my shadow forsakes me in darkness,

And I daren't  ask more of my well meaning friends?

When I am uncertain myself, which way I’ll be turning,

For it seems all my plans have met with their ends!

Now, I am reaching my hand out, groping for something,

That I can hold, or will keep me afloat.

But all  that surrounds me is the feeling of sinking,

Oh! how will I be able to climb on life’s boat?

I seem to be placed for the discipline of darkness,

Even song birds, I hear, learn to sing in the dark;

But first, I must be able to steep-up my alertness,

And begin to listen and look for the spark!

Lord, help me heed when you want me to listen,

Finally, I know my time has come to  hear.

For why would you allow this desperate silence

If not for the tip-toe of Your coming very near