I love these new studies that come out. Here’s one: Humans eat more bananas than monkeys. I think it’s true. I’ve eaten tons of bananas, but no monkeys.
A mom asked her young son to go outside and bring her the broom. It was coalmine black on that porch, so the little guy shivered and said,
“But it’s dark out there.”
“Don’t be afraid,” said his mom,
“Nothing is out there. Except Jesus. He’ll protect you.”
“Are you sure Jesus is out there?” She explained that Jesus is everywhere.
Slowly he pushed the door open, looked into the dark, and said in a tiny voice, “Jesus? If you’re out there, would you please hand me the broom?”
I recognize myself in that kid.
Chuck Swindoll tells a story of his brother who worked at a large Houston library. None of the workers wanted to turn off the lights in the upstairs stacks, because when you got to the final switch, you were in complete darkness. One dark night it fell to one of the younger guys to do the honours. Knowing that the young guy was already jumpy, Chuck’s brother Orville slipped up the back stairway and hid behind the stacks. This poor guy got to the last switch and, as he turned off the light, Orville quietly said,
“What are you doing up here?” Down the stairs and into the street the guy went. And never came back, even to get his cheque.
We are a fearful people. Levophobia is the fear of objects on the left side of the body. Dextrophobia is the fear of objects on the right side of the body. Thalassophobia is the fear of being seated. Stabisbasiphobia is the fear of standing. Phobophobia is the fear of being afraid.
Having 14 grandkids is a splendid and scary thing. In a world where decency is dwindling and righteousness is ridiculed, I have never prayed more. Lately I’ve been focusing on Romans 8:38 (NLT),
“…nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Today, we cannot go where God is not. Comforting words to those of us who fear the dark and the unknown. One guy said,
“I have an irrational fear of elevators. But I’m taking steps to avoid them.”
