Monday, July 21, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

The Fee-Fo-Lais

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

My grandfather, a good ole' Cajun man, made part of his livelihood through hunting. There are many stories that will be retold to my children and my children's children of his heroic hunting adventures.

Most would think the time he made it out alive in a close encounter with a 12-foot-alligator would top that list, but my favorite is the time he "survived" the "Fee-Fo-Lais."

In Cajun folklore, the Fee-Fo-Lais is a ghostly light sometimes seen at night or twilight often over bogs. Some believe it's a spirit in the shape of a ball of fire. I, along with my family, do not believe in this folklore. However, one experience had my grandfather questioning if this folklore could be true.

This is the story of "Papa" and the Fee-Fo-Lais as I remember it being told...

On one hunting journey, my grandfather suddenly saw a bright light in the corner of his eye. As he would turn, the light would move. He thought, "Could it be...the Fee-Fo-Lais!?!

In complete terror, he began to run home. His house was approximately a mile from where he hunted. The faster he ran, the faster the Fee-Fo-Lais chased. Finally, he reached his home, ran into his well-lit kitchen, and took a deep breath. It appeared the evil spirit was gone. My grandmother then reached into my grandfather's back pocket and handed him the FLASHLIGHT that he had left on! Hmmmm....

I love this humorous story not only because it's a reminder of my late grandfather, but it's also a reminder of a deep reality. We often run from things in life out of complete fear, and eventually, we learn that the fear which had us panting all the way home had no validity.

That flashlight was simply posing as a threat. In my grandfather's bout with fear, he did have a great solution. He ran HOME. Today's verse reminds us to put our trust in God when we are afraid.

I challenge you today to run home to God in your times of fear. When you do, He'll be quick to reach in your back pocket and show you that there is truly NOTHING to fear. Romans 8:31 reminds us, "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"

Dear Lord, Thank You that You are always there to show me the reality I have in You. There is NOTHING that I cannot overcome with You in my life.

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Am I running to God in my times of fear?