Be the Light

So late-lee, I’ve really enjoyed coming home to all of the Christmas lights. I love walking in to a home that is lit up and warm with life! I think back to the day I put all of the trees up and began decorating my home for the holiday season.  I was thinking I was being a bit overzealous and rushing time away, but what I didn’t realize at the time, was that I was actually bringing light in at the same moment time was changing bringing with it more darkness. I’m not a huge fan of the time change. When it starts getting dark at 5:30 in the evening, it makes me feel like I should be in bed.  On the flip side, you can’t beat the morning drive into work. My new route takes me over a rather large bridge. The sun is rearing its beautiful glow of pink and orange. It’s such a beautiful reminder that God has given me another day or at the very least another moment to try and make a difference. That is how I choose to start each day. I want to truly BELIEVE in some small way I can make a difference in this big ole world. I’ve tried to teach my children that it’s not what we get out of it, it’s about what we give to it! If we run around chasing things to bring fulfillment to our lives we will miss the opportunity to “fill” someone else’s.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” –John 8:12 

In the same way Christmas lights can bring warmth and peace into our homes, we can do the same for others.  We can be a constant light that warms someone when they are feeling alone and cold. We can be a blinking light to bring them laughter and joy.  I don’t for one minute believe that our walk with Jesus will always be easy. It doesn’t mean we won’t lose loved ones or be immune to a cancer diagnosis, but what it does mean is we won’t be alone.  

Rather than looking forward to receiving the perfect gift this Christmas, rest in knowing you were perfectly made by God yes flaws and all. Be a gift for someone else. Be a light in a world that is so full of darkness right now. Spread some kindness this season. Pay for the person in line behind you in a drive through. Pre-pay for a cup of coffee for someone at Starbucks or somewhere. Or simply share a smile with someone as you pass by them in the hall.  It lets the person know they really do exist and we really do see them! Drop an anonymous note on the floor in hopes someone will pick it up and see the positive words you have written. Have date night in with your spouse! Do some arts and crafts with your children. Wear the Santa hat and give someone a chuckle. Give the gift of time! Time is wrapped by a perfectly colored sunrise bow! You never know when the sun may set on this thing called life, so as cliche’ as it sounds…make the moments count rather than count the moments. Keep your inner light glowing, but make sure you share it with others and make the world a brighter place!