Once, I was lost in darkness.
Now I toe the line.
On the edge of the cliff between Light and the dark abyss I walk, heel to toe, one foot in front of the other.
Sometimes, the darkness is overwhelming and I stumble; I am brought to my knees. Then I think it would be a relief to let go, to fall and again be enveloped by the black shadow hanging in the chasm.
Because in getting up, in returning to my feet, I fight against a force not of this world. A force that drags me down, down, down…and part of me would let it if I didn’t know what was down there, if I didn’t know why the darkness reigns there. And if I didn’t know the Light.
Instead I stand, summoning all the strength I have, crying out to the Light to lend me some of His. Then I’m back on my feet again, and I continue to toe the line.
It would be so much easier to leave the abyss behind, to run into the land of Light and deal no more with darkness. But even as I think this, I hear voices deep in the dark, voices calling out in desperation and despair—voices crying out for help.
And I’m reminded that this is why I toe the line.
As I walk, heel to toe, one foot in front of the other, I take the mirror from my pocket. It’s a small object, no larger than the palm of my hand, but when I hold it at a certain angle it reflects the Light. Using my small mirror, I cast endless beams of Light into the abyss, slicing through the darkness.
Then those who are lost in the dark chasm below can see. Their voices fill with hope as they climb the walls of the abyss, following the Light to where I stand.
I give them mirrors of their own.
Then they follow me, heel to toe, one foot in front of the other, using their mirrors to shine Light into the darkness.
Hannah Roehrick 