Many years ago Tad lived on a lonely island with his father and mother   All around were rough seas and dangerous rocks.  They lived in a tiny cottage next to the lighthouse.  His father was the lighthouse keeper and he had to make sure the great light shone out every night to warn ships to keep well away from the rocks.

One stormy day Tad’s father fell ill and lay tossing on his bed with a high fever while the wind blew and heavy rain fell.  "The storm is getting worse," said Mother, "I hope it won’t became a hurricane."  But, the wind blew even harder.  Tad looked out of the window and saw tremendous waves lashing the rocks around the lighthouse.  His mother peered out and noticed that the lighthouse light was not shining.  Just then she exclaimed, "Isn't that a ship’s horn?"

Tad listened for a moment and replied excitedly, "It is, I can hear it clearly!  And it seems to be close inshore near those jagged rocks!"  "You will have to go and turn on the lamp," she told her son, “I must see to your father."  Tad looked scared, "But, there are so many stairs to climb and I’m afraid of heights!"

”Son," cried his mother, "You are now the man of the house and only you can save that ship.  "Run!  "If we delay any longer that ship will be wrecked on the terrible rocks!"  So Tad grabbed his waterproofs and struggled against the howling wind until he reached the door of the lighthouse.   "And now I must climb all two hundred and fifty stairs to top!" he whispered, "Please God help me climb!"  He gingerly felt his way up the curving stairs.  Holding tightly to the banister rope, he climbed the steps not daring to look down at the floor far below.

Eventually he reached the light and thought, "I must clean the dirty lens."   And so he polished the glass and primed the lamp with paraffin.  Striking a match he lit the wick and at last the beam shone out over the wild waves.  His heart stopped thumping as he turned the handle to revolve light.   As the light slowly turned he saw the faint outline of a ship.  It was perilously close to the rocks!  Just when he thought it would hit, the ship made a sudden turn away from the rocks and they were safe!

Some time later, his mother helped a very tired small boy to bed.  "I'm so proud of you!" she said as she covered him with a blanket.  Next night Tad climbed up the lighthouse steps again.  He was no longer afraid of the height because God had helped him!  That night he thanked God as he turned the handle of the lamp.  And you know, he proudly kept the lighthouse lamp going every night until his father recovered.

Some months later he was excited when a large ship anchored off-shore and soon a small boat landed at the jetty.  "Where’s the young man who prevented the shipwreck?" asked the captain.  "Here he is," said Tad's father with a great big smile as he pushed his small son forward.  "Son," said the captain, "We are proud of you and have a special award for you!"

Tad's eyes gleamed as they pinned a gold medal onto his chest for his bravery.  It had a picture of a lighthouse and the words, "Keeper of the Light" on it.  He was so proud and if you ever visited that island, Tad would show it to you and tell you the story of how God helped him to save a great ship and conquer his fear of heights!

Tad trusted God and overcame his fear of heights, and he let his light shine by telling others of how God helped him.  In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said:

"You are the light of the world" ... Let your light shine before men in such a way
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

God wants us to overcome our fears by trusting Him.  And He wants us to shine for Jesus by caring for other people and telling them about God's love.  Are you willing to be a light for Jesus?

God bless!