Lighthouse

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.” ~~ Dwight L. Moody

 

Cape May Lighthouse August 2010

What is it about lighthouses that fascinates us so?

As I sat and looked at these pictures, I remember how my mom loved it. They went every summer to Cape May and she talked about the light house so often. I never got there while she was alive. So when we were in OC with the kids, we checked out Sunday morning and decided it was high time we saw it.

Is it the height in and of itself, the rich history that each lighthouse has, or what they represent ? The lighthouse is a light in a storm, safe passage, guidance when it is darkest.

Isn’t that we all crave in life?

A stable port in the storm? Someone we know will guide us safely on our journey?

I can’t help it – as I went up and down these….those cochlear sometimes frightening steps…..

I couldn’t help but let my mind wander back and try to think what it must have been like to work in the lighthouse, or live near it. The responsibility of knowing there may be a ship over the horizon that would soon require the lighthouse beacon to warn it away from the rocks and guide it through a channel.

Did any forlorn women waiting for their loved ones to return, sit atop the lighthouse and gaze out to the ocean looking for their husband or lover to appear on the water?  Did anyone ever gaze out knowing their loved one was never going to return to them on that water? Did any young boys climb the steps to gaze out and dream of one day travelling across those waters, or perhaps think of the day they would take over the responsibility of the light.

Yes – I read far too many mid-century historical romances, and yes, I prefer them in coastline settings. *smile*

The captains of those old ships depended on these lighthouses to guide them safely in good weather, and especially in poor weather. Far out dated now, with new sonar and satellite  technology we no longer need the services of these old lighthouses, yet we are still drawn to them, almost like moths to their proverbial flames.

These three are my beacon in the darkness. They give me light when I can’t see it. They ground me. Guide my steps.

And I love how even when they are too chicken to climb the steps with us (more likely too lazy, but they said fearful, so we will go with that)….

 

The lighthouse even provided the shade they needed to wait for us.

My wish as a parent is that I may always be their beacon in the darkness, guide them through the rough waters, and dark storms, but also give them the shade and protection they may need even in the light.