Living on the Light Side

I'm down in the hills of Texas for a few weeks and when it's dark here....IT'S DARK. I keep a flashlight with me when I venture out at night. That made me think again about Star Wars. Two years in a row, my family and I caught the latest Star Wars flick. Star Wars is a big deal to us – so much so that my 10 year old grandson wanted to turn in his Christmas gift from me so he could order the latest Star Wars costume. We did. He loves his costumes and light sabers and even my 16-year old, Payton, is a Star Wars junkie – with his room in all kinds of Star Wars memorabilia. The Star Wars craze always makes me ponder the notion of the “Light Side” versus the “Dark Side”. The Jedi were major practitioners of the Light Side, and were the mortal enemies of the Dark Side of the Force. Light versus Dark – that’s been mankind’s opposing forces since the very beginning of time.

In the creation story in Genesis, God “speaks” things into existence “Let there be light….” It’s a sign of God’s creative power that every single word He utters, brings forth something new, vibrant, and wondrous. Then Adam and Eve fell to the voice of the “Dark Side” when the enemy tempted them and succeeded, that caused them to be banished from the beauty of the garden.

In 1 John 2:5-7, John writes “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is LIGHT and in Him is NO darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” That’s the difference between the LIGHT side and the DARK side. You can sure tell that jealousy, hate, bitterness and anger caused Anakin Skywalker to go wrong and turn to the Dark Side. It’s quite possible, when we examine our hearts, we won’t find that we hate anyone. But every little thing that we allow to remain in our hearts can have a “dark” effect on us. We might not be in darkness, but we certainly might find ourselves in the “shade”.

The beginning of this new year is the perfect time to clear out those things that hinder the LIGHT in us. Let’s open ourselves to His healing and empowering light. When we declare with the Psalmist in Psalm 21:1 “The Lord IS MY LIGHT and my salvation, who should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge, of whom should I be afraid?” – then there will never be a shadow of doubt which side we’re on, and all the dark forces that try to draw us to their side, will never win! The FORCE (the LIGHT source Whom lives within us) Who comes with peace and calm, will always be in us and with us.

May THE FORCE – God’s LIGHT Source -- be with you!

He Blesses the Work of Our Hands

Day 7 of 365 Photo Inspirations.

It's quite effortless to be inspired in my children's homes -- where there are grandchildren filled with life, wonder and excitement.  In addition to those little live-wires, the precious symbols, photos and memorabilia all over their homes gives me many opportunities to capture and seize precious moments, and even remember special times from the past.  

This beautiful shadowbox display has a prominent place in my daughter's home.  It represents two of the most precious memories that we have -- the Christening outfit  worn by my grandson, Payton, and 2-1/2 years later, the Christening dress and jacket worn by my granddaughter, Alexia.  I made the dress and jacket.  I had such joy in selecting the pattern, the fabric, and sewing each stitch, weaving in the ribbon and sewing on the lace.

I have such a sweet remembrance of this time -- of course the incredible significance of dedicating those babies to God, but especially the pride and joy I had in seeing precious little Alexia in that dress I made with such tender loving care.  It was tedious work, but only because I wanted it to be perfect for my new little granddaughter.  I haven't sewn much since that little dress -- other than the occasional repair of a seam or letting out or taking in a clothing item.

Sewing was a big deal back in "my day".  I took home economics in school and learning to sew was a vital part of that class.  I'm still grateful for what I learned during those days. It has served me well.

Today, with stores full of clothing so readily available to us as well as so reasonably priced, it takes someone who really loves her sewing craft to take the time and effort to make a dress or outfit.  But loving her craft provides so many rewards -- like the reward I had today in the sweet memories.

As I gazed at this work of art in the shadowbox, I realized that "the work of our hands" can be a ministry -- as we sew or craft something for someone, prepare a meal for someone that may be homebound, repair or remodel areas in a home, wash dishes, paint, caress a child, and reach out to touch someone with love.   God has given each of us unique gifts for ministry.  What has the fruit of YOUR hands done for others?  Take it from me -- the rewards of allowing God to use our hands in ministry and service to others is beyond blessing.  "The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands....." Deuteronomy 28:12