“From Kim’s Notebook”

By Kim Paras

A few summers ago I was in eastern Kentucky working at the Red Bird Mission. The Mission, run by the United Methodist Church, helps the poorest of the poor who live in that area. Volunteers from around the country come to the Red Bird Mission, nestled in the Appalachians, where they stay in cabins for a week on the Mission grounds. Each morning begins early with prayer, followed by breakfast in the cafeteria. Afterward, everyone goes off to their work sites—most of which are home repairs.

                At the end of each day, my group—made up of about 20 people ranging in age from about 7 to 50—would gather on the porch of our little cabin for an evening of devotion, prayer, and singing. We were there in August, and August, as you may know, is hot and humid in Kentucky. After a long day’s work in the sun, we were tired and achy, but you would see nothing but smiles on the faces of all of us who sat cross-legged on that wooden porch. The fellowship is something I will never forget.

                One night on the porch, an image came to my mind. It wasn’t a vision—no, nothing like that. It was more of a picture that presented itself to me. As I sat under the single light bulb of the porch, looking out into the pitch black and listening to the crickets and bullfrogs in the woods behind us, I imagined Jesus walking through those woods, carrying a lantern. Jesus, by the glow of His lantern, led the way, and we—that small group of Christians—followed Him. We followed Him single file, walking through the dense trees, not knowing where we were going, but trusting Him completely to illuminate the path. We walked silently and with complete faith. As the old hymn goes, our thoughts were, “Wherever he leads, I’ll go.”

                I pictured Jesus the way I’ve imagined him since I was a child—wearing a flowing robe and sandals, with long brown hair, a kind face, and gentle eyes. In this picture I painted in my mind, he made me feel calm. He was sure of Himself. There were no doubts of any kind. He had a way about Him that made me feel not afraid.

                I’m not sure exactly what it was that night on the porch that caused that image to come to mind, but it has stayed with me. I confess, it is not always in the forefront of my mind. I worry about things. I get down. (My husband says, “Kim, you think too much!) But most days, I remember to stop, take a step back, and seek out that glowing lantern—Jesus’ lantern that lights the way for us.

                I leave you with John 8:12—“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

—By Kim Paras