Still Shining

I was cleaning out my jewelry the other day when I came across one of those fun Christmas necklaces with tiny colored lights.

You know the kind. Push the little button, and suddenly you're the brightest Christmas tree in the room!

Well -- not this time.
I pushed the button.
Nothing.
I pushed it again.
Still nothing.

I decided my little necklace had lived a good life, thanked it for its years of faithful Christmas service, and gently dropped it into the bathroom trash can.

Case closed.
Or so I thought.

That night, during one of those "mature adult" middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom (why is that a thing?), I walked in and nearly laughed out loud.

There, shining from the trash can, were those tiny colored lights --twinkling away as if to say, "Excuse us -- we're not finished yet!"

I couldn't help but smile. An,d I couldn't help but pull them out for a blog. Yep! That's how God and I communicate with each other. I pull out a very used light necklace and God gives me an idea for a blog. That's how we roll! LOL!

It also made me wonder how many times we treat ourselves the same way.

We convince ourselves our best days are behind us.
"I'm too old."
"I'm no longer useful."
"My season has passed."

But our Master Creator has a way of bringing light out of places we never expected.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:14)
Notice He didn't say, "You were." He said, "You are."

As long as God gives us breath, He gives us purpose.

Perhaps today you feel tucked away on a shelf -- or worse, tossed into life's trash can.

Take heart.
The Light of the World specializes in making His children shine again.

And if He can surprise me with a glowing Christmas necklace in the middle of the night --
Just imagine what He can do with a willing heart.

Keep shining, dear friends.
Someone, somewhere, needs your light today.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." — Matthew 5:16

And, really, this story isn't really about a necklace.
It's about hope.

I looked into what appeared to be a trash can -- and found light.
Oh, yes, dear one -- YOU are His Light -- reflecting His love, His joy and His peace. Shine, Baby, shine!