Navigating Darkness: Guiding Children and Finding Light Amidst Uncertainty

The sounds echo in my memory: heart-wrenching screams and sobs, etched permanently into my soul. A primal fear, raw and profound, that I had never before witnessed, nor known how to truly address. As a parent, you instinctively want to shield your children from all harm, but what do you do when the fear comes from within, an invisible monster lurking in the shadows?

This year, our four-year-old son has developed an intense, overwhelming fear of the dark. Imagine the terrifying scenario: he awakes in the dead of night, the house plunged into an unexpected blackout – much like when fires swept through our neighborhood, cutting power and extinguishing his comforting nightlight. The ensuing cries, born of profound disorientation and terror, would surely pierce the hearts of any mother or father, leaving them desperate for a solution.

How does a mother navigate such a deeply unsettling challenge? How do we arm our little ones with the resilience to face what seems like an insurmountable darkness?

The Enduring Presence: Light Always Remains

My fundamental role as a parent is to protect my child and guide him through his anxieties. Yet, the task of teaching him that even when the light seems to vanish and shadows appear daunting, an inherent light always persists, feels monumental. How do I convey that true protection resides not just in physical light, but in the unwavering safety of our home, and the constant, watchful presence of his parents?

This isn’t a lesson learned overnight; it demands patience, consistent daily practice, and the cultivation of deep trust. It’s about building a foundation of security that transcends the visual, an understanding that even in pitch black, he is never truly alone. We work on tangible strategies like nightlights and open doors, but also on the intangible: reassurance, imaginative play to make darkness less threatening, and a steady stream of comforting words that echo long after the lights go out. We teach him about his own inner strength, his capacity to navigate the unknown, and the certainty that comfort is always just a whisper away.

Personal Reflections: The Profound Lesson of Sharing Light

I understand the profound unsettling nature of darkness from my own experiences. I vividly recall a time in my youth when an unprecedented storm plunged our rural home into days of complete darkness and cut off our well water supply. We were utterly dependent on the resources we could gather and ignite ourselves.

The image of family members carefully lighting each other’s candles, the soft glow illuminating their faces, and the deliberate act of placing batteries into flashlights is forever seared into my memory. We lived by the meticulously managed light we created, a stark contrast to the effortless availability we usually enjoyed. It was then, stripped of modern conveniences, that I truly grasped the profound value of light – not just for illumination, but as a symbol of hope, comfort, and connection.

One never fully appreciates or recognizes the blessing of light until it is taken away. The silence that accompanies such profound darkness can be unnerving, even terrifying. It forces a confrontation with oneself, and with the raw elements of existence.

The Unexpected Serenity and Challenge of Silence in Darkness

Have you ever truly noticed how darkness brings with it an almost absolute silence? It’s a silence that can be both peaceful and profoundly unsettling. In our modern, perpetually stimulated world, true quiet is a rare commodity. Yet, when the lights go out, often the ambient hum of electricity, the distant traffic, even the subtle sounds of a bustling household seem to recede, leaving behind an unexpected hush.

But is it truly silent? Or does the absence of external stimuli amplify the internal? For a child, like my son, the sudden onset of darkness can trigger a powerful feeling of utter isolation. The familiar world vanishes, replaced by an empty void. In these moments, we are actively guiding him to rediscover an instruction he already possesses but has temporarily forgotten: how to find his own light, both literally and figuratively. This process of teaching resilience and self-reliance in the face of fear is a journey of rediscovery for all of us.

And it’s a lesson, a perspective, I feel compelled to share with you, too.

Two weeks ago, I navigated a particularly challenging period. A heavy quiet settled over me; a deep sadness that whispered of a future where life might never fully return to its former state. Instead, as a dear friend aptly put it, we would enter a “new normal.” The weight of this uncertainty pressed down on my spirit.

One evening, seeking solace, I quietly slipped past my family engrossed in a movie, stepping out the back door into the cool night air. I needed to be alone. More accurately, I needed to be alone with something greater than myself, something that could help me unburden my heavy heart and find clarity amidst the quiet.

The Persistent Whisper: Something Was Coming

To fully grasp the essence of this story, we must rewind a bit—not just a few days or weeks, but almost two years. For the past fifteen years, I’ve had subtle inklings, quiet premonitions about various things, but nearly two years ago, these feelings began to intensify, becoming undeniably real and insistent. The same single word resonated in my mind, a constant refrain:

SOON

This word has surged through my thoughts repeatedly, persistently, for two full years. It spoke of an impending shift, a significant change on the horizon, its urgency amplifying dramatically last winter. Even now, a sense of unsettlement lingers within me. Two weeks ago, however, this feeling was particularly acute, intertwining with deep reflections on the pervasive darkness and uncertainty that seemed to envelop everything.

Interestingly, my husband, Cade, has also articulated a similar sentiment. His chosen word to describe this shared intuition is “unsettled.” This collective feeling suggests a broader awareness, a subtle yet profound recognition that our world is in a state of flux, prompting a deeper search for stability and understanding.

Seeking and Receiving Direction: The Power of “Hear Him”

Last year, members of my church received clear, explicit guidance intended to prepare us for an important meeting six months in the future. I immersed myself in this direction, poring over every detail, and through that diligent study, I experienced profound personal growth and understanding that felt truly extraordinary. It was a period of intense spiritual nourishment and clarity.

And now, a different kind of quiet has descended. The word “soon” has subtly evolved, its meaning shifting, yet its presence remains. This persistent intuition of significant, inevitable changes—changes I’ve always sensed were coming, and for which I felt pre-prepared—continues to evoke a unique, almost strange sensation. Given the current global landscape, I’ve often pondered why there seems to be such a prevailing quiet, a lack of overt answers or guidance.

But the truth is, it isn’t quiet at all. My perception was simply dulled; I wasn’t listening acutely enough.

The same profound message has been consistently repeated since April, a guiding principle waiting to be embraced. This morning, I revisited three specific talks from April’s General Conference. As I listened, a wave of peace and clear direction washed over me, affirming the enduring relevance of the message:

“HEAR HIM”

This powerful directive encapsulates a fundamental principle: we are initially given abundant light and clear direction, much like parents diligently guide their children through their early years. But just as eighteen-year-olds are prepared to leave for college, their parents impart a final, empowering message: “We’ve shown you the pattern, we’ve walked you through the way; now, you must apply these lessons and navigate your path independently by listening for divine guidance.” The essence remains: “HEAR HIM.” This isn’t about being abandoned, but about being empowered to seek and recognize personal revelation, to trust in an inner compass, and to find enduring light even when external sources seem dim.

Whether navigating a child’s fear of the dark or confronting the broader uncertainties of life, the principles are universal: foster trust, seek understanding, and learn to discern the guiding voice that always remains. In doing so, we not only empower ourselves but also teach our children that the light, in its most profound sense, truly always remains.