Good Night, Violet

Good Night, Violet

God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

1 John 1:5

One summer I spent several weeks as a cook at Green Valley Bible Camp, just outside Rogers, Arkansas. The sweet lady in charge of the kitchen was named Violet, and one of the young women who helped in the kitchen was named Charlene.

At night Charlene and I shared a cabin up on the side of the hill. When it’s dark in the valleys of Arkansas, it’s nearly pitch black—unless there’s a bit of light from the moon. Our beds were flat on the floor, but fortunately, someone had attached a long piece of twine to the chain attached to the light so we could reach it after we had gotten into bed.

One night Charlene began talking and walking in her sleep. I awoke to see her headed for the door, saying, “Push him in the hole, George! Push him in the hole!”

It took me a few moments to realize what was going on, but then I lay quietly, listening to find out if she was going to settle back down. She didn’t.

“I see him coming, George,” she whispered desperately, looking out the door. “When he gets here, push him in the hole! He’s going to kill me, George. Quick, push him in the hole!”

I thought, This has gone on long enough. So I pulled the light string, illuminating the cabin. Then I called, “Charlene! Wake up!”

She did not wake up, so I said again, “Charlene! Wake up!”

She shuddered slightly and turned to look at me as if she were a deer caught in the headlights. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“You were talking and walking in your sleep. I got a little nervous. Are you awake now?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks.”

“Okay, then let’s go back to sleep.”

She nodded, sat down on her bed, reached over and took the light string, turned off the light, and said, “Good night, Violet!”

Hmm.

Father, thank you for always being there for me. Even when it’s dark and I’m frightened, I know I can count on you to light my way. Amen.