It was probably April,1973 when all the guys and girls on the block were outside. It was a Sunday and everyone was either running around, playing, talking, hanging out, or listening to music. Since Daylight Savings had just sprung forward, it was pure daylight outside. Suddenly, I looked at the clock in Antenette’s Deli, and couldn’t believe it was about 8:15 pm! I shouted out the time and everyone was shocked! We were all used to going up at 7 during school time.
“It’s what time?!” asked Nilsa. “After 8!” we shouted. She quickly called her 4 sisters and rushed them in. “See you guys tomorrow,” she said. “Yep” was our response. Everyone called his brothers up and “away we all went. Games of tag ended, handball was over, freeze-tag thawed, and silence took over. Footballs in the air were caught and tucked away. Passing 8 pm doesn’t seem like a big deal nowadays, but back then, we were a bunch of very responsible kids. Everyone knew when to head up, and we’d do it.
The lure of daylight fooled us all! We just couldn’t believe our parents didn’t open the windows and shout us in, or, as in the case of friend, Maria Lugo, get chased with slippers (a girly thing)! This was schooltime and it was strict! Summertime was different, it’d get dark at 8:45-9:00. A great time to be outside. A few years ago, we visited North Carolina, near Waynesville, and it was super-bright at 8:30; almost like 6:30 a.m. At 9, it was still bright. Sun went down at 9:30! It was delightful!
Just imagine when we land in heaven! Not even Alaska will compare! It won’t be 23 hours of daylight, but an eternity of it! No sun will be needed because God’s glory will cover us all! No night, no darkness, no terror, no horror, no gory-only glory!
Seems like we’ll be outside most of the time! Games of Tag will go on endlessly, handball will continue as long as possible, and thawed games of freeze-tag will resume! Football spirals or bullets, will be caught and touchdowns will continue in the midst of roars! Most importantly, we’ll be in the presence of God, The Son, and The Holy Spirit forever rejoicing in all things that are good! There’ll be popcorn galore-heavily buttered; popsicles in all flavors, and of course, mouth-watering burgers and hotdogs for all!
If you’re finding yourself enveloped in darkness, call upon the Name of Jesus and He will dispel it! Come to the Light and get a foretaste of what’s to come! Be comforted with Psalm 18:28, “For You, O LORD, are my lamp; the LORD lights up my darkness.” And: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 ESV).
How marvelous to be in the light and never have to fear darkness or the unknown again! Nothing but God’s goodness permeating every inch of heaven and beyond! Be comforted with these last words:
“There shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the LORD God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).
God Bless!
Sam