LIGHT AHEAD

That winter, we lived at Thurø, was both hard and tough. A few days before Christmas we did not know how we could financially manage to create a feast for the children, so it was just a little festive. At least so that we would able to read the Christmas story with joy and singing the lovely carols with sincere delight.

Gifts we didn't even dare think about. In reality, everything seemed so sad and hopeless that my wife and I didn't know which way to turn to. She did what she could to cheer me up, but it was hard, because I was trapped by heavy pessimism.

One night that I was kept awake by very strong pain, my wife called on me.

" Emil ... do you sleep? "

"No!"

"Did you hear the voice that spoke just before ... ? "

"I heard nothing."

"Strange ... I heard a voice loud and clear that said to me: There is light ahead ... ! "

" Hm ... "

" The voice came again a little later, but even more clearly : There is light ahead! "

"No one has spoken to me," I answered perhaps a little dismissive. But my beloved friend kept on. "Yes , the voice was real enough ... And I think that it was our Heavenly Father who spoke. He wantss to encourage us, strengthen us in faith and trust ... You see , my friend, God will soon make us see daylight again!"

I was surprised and puzzled. My brave wife had never heard voices or seen things from the unseen world. But she firmly believed that God had spoken, and that we should not doubt his help.

"I wish you are right," I replied.

And this particular Christmas in the old half-timbered house was to bcome the most unforgettable of all the festivals we 've ever celebrated.

Three or four days before Christmas, a messenger came from some faithful friends in the Danish town, Svendborg that we should not worry about food for Christmas Eve. Friends would bring us a great roast goose with everything that belonged to it, as well as dessert. Everything ready to put on the table. In addition to the feast dinner we were also given gifts to us all six of us.

Well, already it began to brighten.

Shortly afterwards my wife accepted an offer to become caretaker of a larger property in Copenhagen, and the post was to be taken up as soon as next April.

This brightened even more.

One day a letter came from my oldest brother, Carl. He was division manager of the Salvation Army, and he invited me to be speaking at some meetings. Gratefully I accepted the invitation. One day in his home, he suggested that I took with him a trip to Maribo. He had some matters that he had to attend to the afternoon and in the evening there would be a meeting at the local corps. If I felt well enough to speak, he would like to have it.

While he organized his affairs, I went for a walk, to think and pray what I was to say at the meeting in the evening. I wanted to go down to the lake, but when I passed the beautiful old cathedral, I got an urge to go inside. I was alone in the sanctuary, and in a quiet undisturbed devotion moment it was as if God spoke to me about "the light that shines in the darkness,"

It was beginning to sing inside me, and I did a few notes and then went down to the lake. After a short brisk walk, I sat on a bench, took writing materials and wrote : Light ahead!

Then there followed line by line a poem in three verses.
At the transcript I did not change one single word, and I have not done that later:

LIGHT AHEAD
Although the storm is fierce,
so be without fear ...
God makes quiet storms!
How dark it may appear,
believe, our dear God
can turn on lights ahead!

Are your powers small,
He will give you all
in due time from God.
He is so strong and good,
He gives courage and hope,
so we can cope!

God always knows the way
and will lead your way
every step right up to the goal.
O , heart , fear no soul;
but believe whatever happens
then there is light ahead !

Maribo , 9 March 1939