Author Darlene J. Conard

A large shadow of a man in a bulky coat wearing a top hat loomed on the wall. Chloe jerked the covers over her head leaving nothing exposed, not even her pillow. Presuming it wasn’t enough to keep her safe she packed herself into a mound of warmth. Creaks from the settling house made their way to her ears. Would she survive the night, this dreadfully long night? Sleep was nowhere near.

Tension’s fingers dug deep into her muscles. She wanted to cry. The thudding of her heart rang in her ears. If the creeper made his way to her, he’d find no use for her. “Please go -away crazy- man, please! I’m just six years old.” She stuttered as she tried to breathe. The whole situation had her in tears. Her mind raced like a full speed train. Why is such a horrifying thing taking place involving her? What could she have done?

Her tightly closed eyes flew open from the approaching footsteps down the hall. Loosened from fear, a scream released from her throat. Her bedroom door swung open. “Chloe? What on earth is wrong?” The familiar voice compelled her to fight drastically to dart into grandpa’s arms. “Grandpa- grandpa don’t let the creeper get me!” She squealed. He flipped the light switch on then crouched to her level. Chloe threw her arms around his neck clenching tightly. Smiling in amusement he pulled her closely in the safety of his arms. Even the blankets didn’t provide the security Grandpa’s presence brought.

Giving her a moment, he waited for an explanation. Whispering in her ear he asked, “What happened,” although he already knew. Every descriptive word concerning the creeper flowed from her mouth nonchalantly. “Come with me I want to show you something.” She tugged on his pajamas, wiped her hair from her forehead. He followed her to the window hand in hand. He pointed to the birdfeeder on the tree outside gently swaying from a calm breeze. “Chloe that is your creeper’s hat. The big coat you are referring to is the tarp draped over partly stacked wood,”

He looked in the face of a confused Chloe. “Huh?”

“It’s always been there you’ve made the shadow something it isn’t because of the stories you’ve heard.” Chloe stood silently uncertain of her feelings now. “What have you learned?” Taking a deep breath only to release quickly, she replied. “Next time I see a creeper, I’ll come to you.” Her innocence implied to him her experience would lead to bigger giants.

We project circumstances into giants too often. In our thoughts we are the size of grasshoppers. (Read Numbers 13) God is so much more than us and circumstances. Caleb expressed to Israel God is greater. In their eyes the giants appeared all powerful when Caleb’s faith unfolded the glorious acts of God.

Circumstances may cast a shadow portraying defeat; remember, pull out the records of His on-time presence in past circumstances. Let your faith unfold.

“Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job 26:14 KJV

Click the link to read Numbers chapter 7: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2013&version=KJV

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