“Goodnight, sweetheart.” Megan kissed Emma on the forehead and moved toward the bedroom door. She reached for the light.

“No, Mommy! Don’t turn out the light!”

Megan stopped in her tracks and turned back to face her six-year-old daughter. “Why not?”

“I’m afraid of the dark.” Emma sat up in bed, clutching her quilt against her chest.

Megan blinked. This was new. Emma had never worried about the dark before. She moved back over to the bed and sat on the edge. “What are you afraid of?”

“I think there might be monsters. And the monsters only come out at night, when it’s dark.”

Megan ran her hand over Emma’s dark curls. Emma had been on a playdate with Isabel today. Maybe Isabel had said something that fueled Emma’s imagination. “I don’t think you’ll sleep well with this big light. Hold on for a minute and I’ll be right back.” She went into the bedroom she and Rick shared and grabbed the night light from the bathroom.

Entering Emma’s room, she held up the light. “Ta da!”

Emma frowned. “What’s that, Mommy?”

“It’s a night light. It will keep your room from being dark.”

Emma squinted at it. “But it’s so little.”

Megan grinned at her. “Just wait. You’ll see.” She plugged the nightlight into the outlet by the foot of Emma’s bed and turned off the overhead light. A gentle glow permeated the room. “See?”

Emma relaxed into her pillow. “How can such a little light work?”

“Light always wins over darkness. It can be the blackest of night, but one spark from a match drives it all away. And in the sky, the stars are millions of miles away, but we still see their light.”

Emma seemed satisfied. “That’s good.”

“It is good. Did you know Jesus said He is the light of the world?”

Emma’s eyes shone. “My Sunday School teacher told us that. Does that mean if Jesus came in my room it wouldn’t be dark anymore?”

Megan laughed. Of course, in Emma’s mind, that’s the way it would work. “No, sweetie. He could do that, but He doesn’t glow in the dark. Think of the bad stuff as darkness. Jesus can push back the darkness because He gives us hope, forgiveness, and brings us to God.”

Emma grinned. “And He helps us see!”

“That’s right. Now get some sleep.”

Megan kissed the top of Emma’s head and went back downstairs. She glanced out the window. The storm was getting stronger. Snow piled up outside. They hadn’t had this much in years. Still, their house was warm and dry, so no worries. She entered the den to find Rick huddled over the computer, his brow furrowed with concern.

“What’s wrong?”

Rick frowned. “I’m trying to figure out how we’re going to pay all the bills. The work on the furnace and the car repairs nearly depleted our emergency fund, and everything is due at the end of the month.”

Megan studied him. This wasn’t like Rick. He was usually such an optimist. Her earlier joyful mood evaporated. This wasn’t a problem that could be solved with a nightlight. “What do you think we should do?”

Rick lifted his gaze to meet hers. “I’m not sure. I hate to put anything more on the credit card. The rates are so high, and we’ll never be able to pay it off. It’s always tricky this time of year since I don’t have much income coming in.”

“But you’ve been in the landscaping business for years now, and we’ve always made it through the winter.”

“Yes, but we’ve had more expenses this winter. Like I said, the emergency fund is almost gone. I won’t start getting landscaping jobs for at least another month. But the mortgage and the other bills are due in two weeks.”

Megan’s mind flew back to the conversation with Emma. “Maybe we should pray about it.”

Rick shrugged. “It can’t hurt. But I’m too worked up right now. Why don’t you do it?”

Megan bowed her head. “God, we’re worried about our bills right now. Thanks for always being faithful to us in the past. Please help us find a way to pay our debts.”

Suddenly everything went dark.

“Oh, great.” Rick blew out a breath. “Losing power is not what I had in mind when we asked God for help.”

Megan jumped up. “Let me check on Emma. She was worried about the dark.” She grabbed her phone, turned on the flashlight, and crept upstairs. A faint glow shone through the crack in Emma’s open door. Megan peeked inside. The nightlight was still glowing. It must have a battery backup.

Her mind traveled back to the conversation with Emma. What had she said? Jesus helps us see. Megan filled with renewed hope. A power outage wouldn’t stop Jesus. He’d guide them with His light, no matter how dark things looked.

She made her way back downstairs to hear Rick’s voice. He was on the phone with someone. She re-entered the den just in time to hear the end of his conversation.

“Yes, of course. Thanks for thinking of me. I’ll be right there.”

Megan turned to Rick as he disconnected the phone. “Where are you going in this storm?”

“That was Brian. A couple of his drivers are sick and he’s short-handed. He asked if I was available for some plowing work. The city will do the main highways, but his team plows the business parks and private drives, and they’re running behind.” He grinned at Megan. “The money is good.”

Megan’s heart filled. “Wow. Jesus really is the light.”

Rick’s forehead wrinkled. “What are you talking about?”

“We prayed for a way to help our finances, and two minutes later, He gave you a job. He’s the light that shows us the way.”

Rick opened the coat closet and slipped on his jacket. “Whatever you want to call it, I’m grateful. This couldn’t have come at a better time. God takes care of us.”

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.”

God, thank You for hearing our prayers. We don’t often hear an answer so quickly, but You are able to do more than we can even imagine. Thank You for shining Your light to help us find our way in the darkness. Please help us reflect Your light to help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.