I wrote this month's edition from the top of a lighthouse! (Editing now at home.) My sister, Miriam, and I, and four friends had the unique and remarkable opportunity to be sequestered for eight days at a working lighthouse—where we lived as official Lighthouse Keepers! The lighthouse is located at the end of a five-mile narrow beach, which can only be accessed during low tide. We were transported by truck to the keepers’ quarters, with all our supplies and food for the duration. Then the driver left and our adventure began. Immediately, we knew we had arrived somewhere truly magical—a place beyond a portal, connecting “real” life to tranquility, adventure and creative renewal.
The lighthouse beacon is automated so we didn't actually light the beacon. However, as lighthouse keepers we had many duties including: raising the flag at sunrise and lowering it at sunset; polishing the brass rail in the lantern room; cleaning the tower windows; watering, mowing and edging the grass; conducting guided tours of the lighthouse and museum to hikers who conquered the five-mile trek through deep sand and rocks (we had 278 guests during our stay!); recording various information and observations in the daily log; inventorying supplies; and keeping the grounds and surrounding beach in pristine condition.
Our days included plenty of time to beachcomb, watch passing ships and tankers, observe various species of birds, and enjoy the beauty of the protected wildlife refuge that bordered the lighthouse property. It was a thrill to see a surfaced submarine escorted by two large military ships on each side and a Coast Guard boat from behind. Fighter jets flew in formation overhead on more than one occasion. We befriended several resident eagles, a family of playful seals, a curious otter, two frolicking dear who nestled overnight in the grass, a grey whale in the distance, and tiny sea critters in tide pools. We ceremoniously assisted a dead porpoise that had washed ashore back into the rolling sea. Each day also offered space to relax and rejuvenate, read a good book, enjoy interesting conversation and great laughter, build friendship, make cairns of all sizes, design rock “people”, picnic in the sun, take a nap on the lawn ... and to write.
On the first morning, I ventured on a morning solo walk along the beach. Intentionally wanting to compliment the tangible serenity oozing from my surroundings, I selected an inspirational/meditation app on my phone. Ironically, the first song that played was a well-known Christian hymn, about a lighthouse keeper, titled, “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy”. Each night, as we watched the setting sun from the tower, it became somewhat of a ritual to sing songs together, including this one:
BRIGHTY BEAMS OUR FATHER’S MERCY
Brightly beams our Father’s mercy
From his lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
Dark the night of sin has settled;
Loud the angry billows roar.
Eager eyes are watching, longing,
For the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
Trying now to make the harbor,
In the darkness may be lost.
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
Text and music: Philip Paul Bliss, 1838–1876
On his journey to become a Stelladaur Ambassador, Reilly is very much like a lighthouse keeper. He holds his own flame up high, as a light of hope that rescues prisoners from Black Castle, frees Beacons from The Bleak, and gives him courage to face the Prince of Hell.
At times, we are each imprisoned in dungeons of our own private dark castle. Places where we, too, need rescuing. Bleak moments can feel as if they stretch into an abyss of endless time. Some days we just feel like hell, or as if we’re stuck in a living hell. But beyond our dark portals—sometimes buried deep within our innate knowing—there is brilliant, radiant, and abiding light! There, we discover the truth that light prevails! Always … forever … light prevails!
Stelladaur light is power. It is the place from which your light shines brightly into the night. It is your lighthouse.
i am your friend.
a soul for your soul.
a place for your life.
home.
know this.
sun or water.
here
or
away.
we are a lighthouse.
we leave.
and
we stay.
—lighthouse
Being a lighthouse keeper was a rare and glorious phenomenon which proved to be indescribably more than everything I hoped it would be. Beyond imagination. Beyond a portal.
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