Soak in the Light

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Snow snuffed the light.

The eleven inches of snow buried the solar panel for my decorative outdoor lights. In my flower bed, I had placed a shepherd’s hook and hung a recycled, glass bird feeder I had filled with strings of fairy lights. The sun powers the tiny lights, and they illuminate the area. After the snow covered the solar panel, the lights stopped glowing. Rather than dig out the snow, I waited for the sun to melt it, then cleared what little was left.

I missed the glow of the fairy lights. They brightened the night and gave us enough light to see the sidewalk to the front door. After the snow melted and the solar panel gathered light and gave energy to the tiny bulbs, I looked out the window and saw them glowing. Their simple glow brought comfort and joy to me.

Like the fairy lights, if I don’t feed my soul with God’s word, prayer, and community, my light dims and may even go out. I need the fuel and energy I gain from the scripture, communicating with God, and sharing life with people who love Jesus.

I’m thankful for the light my family and friends shine on me. I’m grateful for the Bible that fuels me and the Holy Spirit who guides me.

God’s light shines on my heart and reminds of the sacrifice of Jesus. He died on the cross and took on my sins, so I can live with freedom from the world, have peace in my heart, and be a light for Him.

Soak in Jesus’ light and glorify God.

What an Honor

Colossians 3:12-15
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

The light of love.

Have you ever taken a personality test? When I was a teenager and read Teen magazine (a long time ago), I couldn’t wait to take the personality quizzes and find out who I was. Silly, I know, but at the time I thought one simple test could answer my longing questions of who I was meant to be. Fast forward several years, and I found myself once again faced with tests that helped determine my personality.

A part of me still enjoyed delving into questions at the institute where I worked to determine a bit more about me. At that point in life, I answered questions which helped me see what kind of employee I was or what kind of occupation I should immerse myself in. The answers and results from the occupation tests rang true. Most of them pointed me to counselor, librarian, teacher, or writer. Two out of four isn’t bad.

Regardless of where the man-made tests place me in life, my greatest desire is to immerse myself in who God created me to be. According to Colossians, God wants me to offer compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. What an honor! I can’t do this alone, so I depend on the Holy Spirit to prompt me to live in a way that shines God’s light. It’s a process of continued growth and understanding. I get frustrated sometimes, but I keep plugging away with prayer and hope. That’s all God asks.

Show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love to the people you encounter. We don’t know their story or what they might be going through.

A Willing Spirit

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Eleven inches of snow covered everything.

January 6, 2025, we had our first snowstorm of winter. Perhaps it will be our only one, time will tell. The weather crew had warned the tri-state of the impending weather. That amount of snow slowed life down for a few days. Schools called snow days, many businesses closed, kids and their parents made snow ice cream, cleared driveways, created snow angels, and enjoyed the day.

For me, snow reminds me of the peace and hope I have knowing God loves me. The silent sound of the first snowfall muffles the cacophony of our world. Neighbors help neighbors, men and women travel the roads tossing salt and plowing snow, linemen keep the electric on, and children find joy in the beautiful white flakes.

When the sun shines on the snow and the flakes sparkle, I see a pristine light like the light God shines on my heart. He purifies my soul and renews my spirit. He restores my joy.

How do I respond? God loves me and accepts me as I am. He has forgiven me and created a pure heart in me. It’s up to me to have a willing spirit to follow Him in obedience as I embrace the gifts and guidance He gives me.

I can talk about God’s love and light all day, but if I don’t respond to Him in obedience, I fail. God has called me to follow Him, to give Him my all, to shine His light. Because I love God, I hand over the reigns of my life and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me and guide me. I use the gifts God has given me to glorify Him and show the world Jesus’ love and sacrifice.

How will you respond to God?

 

Snow Day

When we measured the amount of snow the ruler sunk in eleven inches.

When it snows this much

I find myself praying for the safety of those who must go out,

the linemen who repair the electric lines, 

the people on the snow plows and in the salt trucks, 

and the essential folks who have to work.

On the other hand, I love snow. It's beautiful and quiet.

There's a peacefulness about it.

It's also fun.

sledding,

snowmen,

snowball fights,

snow Ice cream.

Whatever a snow brings to your life I hope you find peace in the beauty.

 

Let Your Light Shine

John 8:12
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.”

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Many folks choose a word of the year. Me included.

In 2024, I focused on the word contentment and spent the year reflecting on being content in all circumstances. At times, I struggled with the thought of contentment. Other times, I counted my blessings. By the end of the year, I found myself being more thankful than ever.

In December, amidst the preparations for Christmas, I prayed about a word for 2025. It seemed like the word light popped up everywhere I turned, in Bible readings, in songs, of course, all the holiday lights, and even in my Dove dark chocolate square.

When I looked up Bible verses with the word light, I found two truths to focus on, and I’ll be honest, being light feels a bit overwhelming, but I know God is calling me and will equip me.

John 8:12 reminds me Jesus is the light in a dark world. He offers hope against the darkness and fills my heart with light. In this world we live in, there is a spiritual war between the darkness of sin and the light of Jesus. Because I’m a child of God—I’m also a warrior of light. A bearer of good, hope, and love.

To help me shine for Jesus, I’m reflecting on the Fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Imagine how bright we’d shine as God’s children when we take on all of these attributes. As a warrior of light, I’m also a prayer warrior, bending God’s ear to survive and thrive.

I pray I don’t fail to be a light for Jesus, as I seek God’s help in shining for him.

What will 2025 bring for you? I pray it is a year filled with hope and light.

Happy New Year!

Here comes 2025! 

I pray for a year filled with hope and joy for each and everyone.

 

Trust, Draw, Listen

Psalm 28:7-8
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.
The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one (Jesus).

I love the words that David wrote in this psalm. He’d been through so many trials, temptations and tribulations, yet he looked to God. He’d tried doing things his own way and failed. But he knew where to turn. He fell before the Lord with praise because his strength came from Him. He trusted completely and understood that God shielded him from danger. 

God hasn’t changed. He remains the strength of his people. Gathering with folks each week for worship reminds me that God is my fortress of salvation.  We sing, pray, listen to the wisdom of the Bible, share in communion and dwell in His presence. There are times that my soul is so stirred that my heart leaps for joy, just like the psalm says. What a glorious reminder of His love.

As I prepare to enter another year, my prayer is to trust in God, draw closer to Jesus, and listen to the Holy Spirit.

I pray your new year will be filled with praises and joy.