Recently, my dear friend and fellow writer, Robyn R. Smith, shared this story with me. It encouraged me and poked at my spirit so much that I asked her to share it with all of you as we approach Easter. If you’re in a dark place this Spring, this beautiful piece is for you. Please check out Robyn’s bio at the end of the piece, as well as a link to subscribe to her weekly Encourageminutes (which I love and never miss!).
From my heart to yours,
God’s Light
© Robyn R. Smith 2025
Stress defined our lives. My husband was five years unemployed after a painful split with a relative/business partner. His debilitating depression required my rejoining the workforce after homeschooling for more than two decades, and I had recently come home to foreclosure papers on the doorstep. Faith was my only stability. In these difficult days, God encouraged me most often by our precious friends and church family, but on this occasion, He chose to speak Himself.
That evening, I was enjoying a rare visit with some of my strongest spiritual warriors. We talked about nothing and everything and, as always, about God’s faithfulness to His beloved children, even in times of distress. It was soul-satisfying. As midnight approached, we shared a sweet, refreshing prayer, and I climbed into our stealth-black, maintenance-hungry CRX and said good-bye. The path from their house in the woods was long, dark, and narrow. Finally turning onto the main road, my car suddenly died. Thankfully, I had just enough momentum to pull onto the shoulder, but as a black car with no lights at night, it was not ideal—especially on winter-slick roads. Knowing my friends had just been up, I braved a phone call, and they quickly arrived to help.
“Your alternator is dead,” Tom explained after a quick inspection. “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to charge your battery, which should give you just enough power to get to the barn in our neighborhood. You can park there. When I tell you to start it, turn everything else off—no radio, no defroster, no headlights. I’ll drive in front of you with my brights on, and you follow right behind me. That should give you enough light to see.”
Tom recharged the battery and shouted, “Start it now!” The engine came to life. He quickly unhooked the cables, shut the hood, and jumped into his car, leading the way to the barn. Obediently, I turned everything off and tailgated my friends back into the complex.
Surrounded by woods, there were no streetlamps, and the emerging fog further impeded visibility. I stayed close as my kind heroes led me carefully around the winding curves and across a small, narrow bridge. As we crossed the creek, I heard my Savior’s voice:
“This is how it’s going to be with you and Me for a while. You won’t be able to see the big picture. You need to follow close to Me; I will lead you one step at a time through this. Just stay close and trust Me.”
“I will, Lord”, I heard my own voice quiver as tears blurred my vision further.
The God of the universe had spoken to me directly, compassionately, and personally. He was aware of my plight and our needs, yet He was reminding me to stay focused on a greater need—our relationship with Him. He had both plan and purpose. My job was to trust and stay close, and He would get us to safety, just as my friends got me safely to the barn that night.
Our family’s journey to restoration was long and arduous, but our faithful Savior kept His promise to never leave or forsake us. With each challenge we faced, God supplied supernatural strength, peace, and faith. And always, God led us faithfully through His solid word. Slowly, my heart was strengthened, and my husband’s began to revive. Though life was different now, through His grace, we were mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stronger, firmer, and more steadfast than ever before, just as He promises in 1 Peter 5:10.
As we face desperate times—days when we question if life can never be good again, hurts so painful it feels like they will never heal, and gloom so dark we wonder if light could ever penetrate it—we can know without doubt we are not alone, forgotten, or forsaken. Like the disciples that first Easter weekend, it may feel like the darkness of suffering and sadness will swallow you up, but it will not. The God who resurrected Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (He. 13:8). He will lead you through the darkness by the light of His truth and love, just as He did for His disciples 2,000 years ago—and just as He did for me 2,000 years later. Let this Holy Week remind you of God’s faithfulness in the darkest of times. You may not see the big picture, but He does. Stay close and trust Him; He will show you the Way.
God bless your Resurrection Celebration!
About Robyn
Robyn Smith is a writer, teacher, and spiritual mentor nurturing family and faith for nearly four decades. A dedicated wife and “graduated” homeschooling mom of six, she has walked through life’s challenges fortified by her sustaining belief in Messiah Jesus.
Robyn is passionate about using her words to inspire readers. She writes a weekly “Encourageminutes” newsletter and is author of an upcoming children’s discipleship book. Her greatest honor is holding an invitation-only seat at the “kids’ table” at family gatherings. Her insights have been shared in various Christian communities and online platforms, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to have child-like faith.
Click here to check out Robyn’s weekly Encourageminutes posts (plus receive free Scripture coloring pages as a welcome gift)!
Thank you, Sarah, and Robyn. I very much needed these words and their message in the difficult times in which my family currently resides. Truly.
We all need these reminders when times are hard. Keep trusting God, my friend. He knows where He’s leading you, even if you are driving without headlights. Love you, Gigi.
That was an awesome piece! I adore Robyn and I’m so grateful you published it!
Thank you, Beth! I’m glad you enjoyed it!