Then the Lord said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward heaven, and the land of Egypt will be covered with a darkness so thick you can feel it.” So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days. During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived. Exodus 10:21-23
I have always loved soft lighting, the kind that comes from candles and Christmas lights and a fireplace. I always feel so comfortable, cozy, and safe when the glaring lamps are turned off and the only light in our house comes from twinkling Christmas lights and candles. Perhaps it’s because the bright lamps make me think of my migraines and how much bright light hurts when a migraine is harassing me.
It feels most like Christmas when it’s dark outside, and our house softly glows with countless twinkling Christmas lights and candles. Sometimes, more darkness can be a good thing.
I clearly remember the struggle to breathe, the icy fear that was a heavy weight in my chest. I had assumed that opening my eyes would end the nightmare, but it seemed to be real. The creature was there, between me and the door, so escape was out of the question.
It was, perhaps, four feet in height, with bat-like features. The narrow eyes were terrifying: milky white and softly glowing. Its teeth were all fangs, the better to gnash with, I suppose. It may not have been so frightening if I wasn’t being overwhelmed by the waves of demonic evil radiating from this being. It was immobilizing; I couldn’t move from my bed, even to sit up. I couldn’t make a sound, no scream or cry or prayer could escape. It was lunging at me, but it couldn’t quite reach. Never, ever, have I felt such terror. I was completely alone in a dormitory full of sleeping people.
I could only think, think of great angels with swords and that my soul had already been purchased with His blood and no demon could take that away. The creature lunged at me, furious, fangs gleaming. I squeezed my eyes shut to help focus on the hope I had learned long ago. When I finally gained the courage to open my eyes again, the creature was gone.
The memory, however, will always be there.
