Fairy Glen

Have you ever heard of Fairy Glen, in Scotland? It looks impossible, full of steep hills close together and all covered in brilliant green moss, so thick it feels like walking on a pillow. When I was there with my family, I was surprised the place wasn’t crawling with tourists. Besides sheep, we were the only ones there. To me it seemed heavenly. I’d even gone so far as to think it seemed like a place where nothing bad could ever happen. No sooner had I thought this than I crested a steep hill and saw something that made me catch my breath.

A sheep lay on its side, having died there days before. It looked so out of place against the thick green moss, under a perfect, cloud swept sky. A terrible juxtaposition, almost criminal. A jolting reminder that even Fairy Glen is not exempt from suffering.

I have a tendency to forget where I am.

Sometimes the beauty of the world is astonishing, but it isn’t heaven. At the best of times it’s more like a shadow of it. Because the darkness of the world is also astonishing.

John 16:33 says, ”These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

These words remind me where I am but they go beyond that limited point of reference. They point me to my source of courage—a well so rich and deep that in comparison, both the beauty and the darkness of this world are like delicate things made of paper.

Blessings to you this week. When you see astonishing beauty, remember the Lord, your God is infinitely more beautiful. And when you encounter darkness, remember the Lord your God is infinitely more powerful. I like to say, acknowledge the darkness, but dwell on the Light.

~Amy