Shine On

It just leaves me in awe at how the smallest ray of light can pierce through the darkest room.

I love my home. It was built in the 60's and it sits on a hill overlooking the Edgewood Historic District in my city. Huge oak and pine trees surround it and I feel so cozy here. The only drawback is, with all the trees, there is simply not a lot of natural lighting. Not a problem, unless you have to get up in the middle of the night for a glass of water and your dogs have left their toys laying in the middle of the floor.

Since my surgery, I have to be very careful not to fall. So the before mentioned can be a bit of a problem. Recently, my dad replaced a burned out bulb in a tiny light above my kitchen sink. Before I go to bed at night, I always turn this light on; because, no matter how tiny this light is, it seems to cut through the darkness and shine through my entire home... 1577 square feet of home.

This past month has been pretty dark for me. Major surgery, damaged nerves (that I am told may never heal), talks of foreclosure from my bank, pain that seems to never end, and no chance of returning to work any time soon. Did I mention it can get pretty lonely when you live alone and can't drive or leave your home for more than about 4 hours at a time....Even if I could drive, I cannot walk for any long distances or sit/ride for periods of time greater than about 20 minutes. But when I open my eyes, I see flickers of light all around me.

Jesus said in John 8:12 "... "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

But Jesus no longer has a body of flesh... No, we are called to be the body of Christ... and this past month, I have seen His heart shining bright. His light shines in my mother who basically moved in to take care of me; my father, who has been making small repairs to my home and car and checking on me daily; my friends in their visits/cards/flowers and a number of other things that they have done to let me know I am in their thoughts.... a man from my church who has maintained the upkeep on my yard; the youth of my church who haven't stopped praying for me.... a dear friend from church who used the only free time she had that week to come and clean my home...my best friend Jess who makes me laugh till I cry... everyday for the last 5 weeks I have not failed to be blessed by the heart of Christ; too many things to list. With all of this light surrounding me, I can't see the darkness.

God, I thank you that I am not walking in the dark. Thank you God that no matter how dark the day, when I open my eyes I see your light shining. Thank you for giving me the Light of Life.

Can I Shine Your Shoes

     I once read a story about a man who was killed in a traffic crash leaving behind a young wife and two kids. The young mother had never worked. Her husband had been the sole financial supporter of the household. The man was well-liked and the entire community considered it a tragedy. They pulled together during the wake and the funeral offering their assistance. Days after the man was laid to rest, so was the help that had been offered. The young mother found herself daily looking through the want ads and looking for childcare. Then one day, several weeks after the funeral, there was a knock at the door. She answered only to find an old gentleman in tattered clothing looking very disheveled. He looked at her and plainly said, "Let me have your shoes." Rather confused and thinking him mad she responded with, "What !?!" He pulled out an old dirty can of shoe polish and with tears in his eyes replied, "Ma'am, I ain't got much. But I want to help you. Please let me have the honor of polishing your shoes for you."

 
  What has happened? Every day on the news I see unemployment numbers rising. I hear of foreclosure notices hitting entire communities. Our food banks are running dry. Collectively we sit back and think about these sad situations and "wish" there was something we could do to help.
Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Proverbs 19:17
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

I am not a wealthy person; however, I give. I know that giving does not always mean giving money. It could be sending a card of encouragement to someone who is hurting; visiting shut-ins; taking a meal to someone sick; or babysitting for a single mother who just needs a night alone. Today I challenge you. Shine someone's shoes.

Your Brilliance

You are the light of the World
The flame that illuminates
You separate my life from darkness
Your glow lights my path
I do not stumble

You are the light of the World
Only by Your glare can my sin be made obscure
Shine before me so that I may see Your deeds
So that I may praise You

You spoke to darkness
In Your flash came confusion
Raining down upon the Earth
Never more to enter Your realm.

May Your lamp continually burn
In my heart and in my soul
That I may walk upright
And never be hidden from You.