This Little Light of Mine has an Eternal Backup Source

Yesterday, I was responding to someone asking for prayer for help in spreading God’s love through her business! I prayed this prayer: "Heavenly Father: We stand in agreement with _____ and her desire to be Your hands extended in her business. May her bright light shine so much that others are drawn to You, through the Fruit of the Spirit that is so evident in her life. May love lead her actions, her thoughts and her business relationships. We pray this is the mighty name of Jesus. Amen!"

Maybe you have that prayer, too. I asked God for her bright light to shine. I ask God for yours and my bright lights to shine today. At one time or another, we've all sung that little song, “This little light of mine; I’m gonna let it shine.” We know it, but do we actually let our little lights shine, especially when we've run out of a good battery charge?

Listen to the wise advice of the Apostle Paul who tells us how to keep our lights shining: “Do all things WITHOUT complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15). Just imagine the difference we could make in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and businesses if we didn't complain about this, that and the other, and instead, presented our "LIGHT" with cheer and joy? Our lights could alter the atmosphere wherever we go. Our lights could literally dispel darkness and knowing scriptures like this one keeps our "light" battery charged up.

But what about those "light" drainers? It may be a negative comment or someone's bad mood or a surprising situation like a flat tire or a washing machine breaking down or a bad medical report or any other bad news coming our way. The "stuff of life" can drain our "battery" with doubt, worry, and negativity. What may have started out as an occasional little loss of energy that weakens our light, can soon become a bolt of lightning that trips a breaker that completely shuts down our light, our energy and enthusiasm altogether. That's why keeping "charged up" with God's Word will keep our lights burning brightly that will cause the darkness around us to flee -- not so much by what we say....but what we do in spite of our own circumstances. Others are watching how we demonstrate God's love, peace, and joy -- right in the middle of some of our darkest times.

We can make a conscious effort to be sure our little lights are backed up with God's Word as our eternal backup source and we'll be bright and shining lights all the time -- right in the midst of negativity and all the "stuff" being sent our way. St. Paul reminds us, "you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8).

That's what the darkness needs -- in spite of our circumstances and the darkness around us -- it needs LIGHTS that conquer every opposing force. People will be thinking "How can they be so peaceful, full of joy and hope -- when I know they're going through the stuff of life, just like me?" Before long, they'll get it. They'll know it. And they'll want it, too! "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.

Cuddles from Heaven and on Earth

Day 280 of Photo Inspirations - Cuddles From Heaven & On Earth
Going to church was one of my favorite "date" places to go to with my Sweetheart.  It seemed that the presence of the Lord brought us even closer together when we were there.  He would hold and caress my hand, put his arm around me, and whisper "I love you".  And I don't think God was jealous one bit when we expressed our love to each other there.  In fact, He was probably applauding that affection and love -- after all, that precious love between a husband and wife is one of His most marvelous creations.

Genesis 2:21-24 "So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”  That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."  Talk about GENIUS and master-designed creations!!!!  God is the MASTER CREATOR!!

In the sweetness of God's love and our love, God blessed us with a friendship with a precious family. Howblessed we were when Owen, their 3rd-born, this adorable 10 year old pictured here, became our godson. We were so blessed to be there 10 years ago when he was baptized -- thus my photo inspirations for today.  We took being godparents very seriously -- praying for him, celebrating him and continuing to give him the reasons why he is so precious and beautiful and reminding him that God has so much potential in his future.  We always made it a big deal to celebrate his baptism every year.  After all, that's when he came into the "Family of God". And that's what I did yesterday -- I had been in Seattle on September 25th -- his actual baptism day.  I want to continue to influence this little guy in his relationship with Jesus.  If I can have a small hand in that, I say, "Here's my hand, Lord!"  His card said, "This little light of Owen's.....he's gonna' let it shine!"  And, I gave him a flashlight as a little reminder.  BIG smiles!

Yesterday was special, but as I said in the first paragraph here, my sweetheart and I made going to church a place where our love for each other increased.  So when he graduated to heaven (5 years next month), I could have only thought of how much I missed him when I went to church.  But I think, he AND God had something special in mind.  Owen took over where my sweetheart left off. To this day, since Ron's exit, Owen runs to sit by me in church.  He wraps his arms around me, holds my hand and kisses my cheek.  Oh, yes, I sense heaven with me when Owen is with me.  I am loved here and from up there.  Yes, his little light shines brightly in my life!

These Little Lights of Mine

Day 265 of Photo Inspirations -- These Little Lights of Mine
Yes, I'm relentless in my expressions of the joy and delight that my grandchildren bring me.  And, yesterday, was no exception.  Of course these would be my photo inspirations for today.  It started on Thursday with my two youngest grandchildren, Brennan, age 11 and Bryson, age 8.  Shawntel and I attended their school's Spirit Assembly for the Jog-A-Thon (their annual fundraiser) that took place yesterday.  At the Spirit Assembly, each grade had a Spirit Chant/Cheer & team name that included references to "letting their lights shine".  Obviously they go to Christian school where praying, reading God's Word and memorizing scriptures are not only acceptable, but are urged and required!  What an amazing foundation for their lives!

Bryson's 3rd Grade Classes ran at 10 am.  I loved it that he wanted me to run with him -- he's stil my lovey boy that wants to hold my hand AND run with him too!  And, you see that adorable girl with him.  She's been his best friend since they were just 3 years old.  Between us two girls, Bryson was a happy runner!  On the other hand, big brother, Brennan, 5th grader....is quite pleased to run with his buddies, or by himself.  LOL!

The Jog-A-Thon's theme was "Let your light SHINE before others so they may SEE your good works and give glory to your FATHER who is in heaven."  Matthew 5:16.  This was probably one of the first verses we learned in Sunday school. And one of the first songs we sang was "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." Jesus said that we (His disciples) are the light of the world. That little song says "Hide it under a bushel -- NO!  I'm gonna' let it shine."  And, yes, our lights should be shining so brightly to this very dark world that needs so much light.  Our actions and our words speak volumes as to how bright our light really is.  

What does Jesus mean by light?  He calls Himself "the light of the world." John calls Him "the life that is the light of men," John 1:4. The light in us is His light.  We have that light shining through our lives if our actions reflect His nature -- His love, compassion, peace, and forgiveness. His light shines through our attitudes, words, and deeds. When people see that light shining through us.....they'll long for that LIGHT in their lives, too!

This little light of mine -- I'm gonna let it shine!

What is Your Little Light Shining?

Day 193 of Photo Inspirations -- What is Your Little Light Shining?
At my Life Group this week, we were discussing "letting our lights shine", when one of our gals mentioned that she had taken a course in college called "The Study of Lasers".  She went on to tell us that light travels in straight lines.  A laser produces light, but unless the laser light bounces off of something, you cannot see it.  The beam is invisible in normal air.  However, you can see the beam if there is something in the air, like smoke, that the light can bounce off of.  It takes time for our brains to understand what our eyes see.  Because of that, a fast moving laser beam spot will not look like a spot at all, but like a line of light.  That's AMAZING!

We had just talked about lighting a candle to dispel the darkness in our world.  Then she said, "There's a lot of difference between candlelight and laser light, and there are a lot of different lights in between:  incandescent, flourescent, halogen, LED.  She said, "Singing 'This little light of mine, I'm gonna' let it shine' sure takes on a whole new meaning with those thoughts.  Right?"

Different light sources have different purposes.  A soft candlelight brings calmness and sweet ambience to a room.  An incandescent light bulb is what Thomas Edison invented.  An electric current passes through the filament in the bulb, heating it to a temperature that produces light.  And, it can be dimmed or made brighter.  Then there's the flourescent light that gives a flat, cold light, often bluish and harsh. It is a daylight-equivalent and cannot be put on a dimmer. Then there are the LED -- Flood or Spotlights.  Those are the lights that cities are brilliantly lit up and it causes the evil lurkers to hide from them.  And, then there is the laser light.

I had an aha moment about the variations of light that we should consider since we are LIGHT bearers.  Unquestionably, there are times when we need to be soft candlelight that is calm, sensitive, and tender to those around us.  Other times, our light must be bold and bright to bring about clarity and illumination and eyes of understanding to be opened to the truth of God's love and Word.  Then there are times when our lights are flood and spot lights -- that dispel the darkness as we lift up He Who is the One deserving to be in the spotlight -- after all HE IS THAT LIGHT.  And then there is the LASER light that is the LASER Sword of "God's Word that is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."  Hebrews 4:12

This aha moment spoke to me about the times when I need to regulate my "little light" and pay attention to which light I should be shining at any given time -- especially when sharing about Him.   Yes, now as I sing "This little light of mine, I'm gonna' let it shine" -- I'm going to consider "Do I need to turn up the dimmer switch or turn it down?"  Do I put away the harsh, cold light that is insensitive and makes others just want to stay away from my light?  And, what about pulling out my LASER Sword of God's Word?  Those decisions are best accomplished by checking in with THE LIGHT SOURCE -- He Who knows everything about everything will guide us and help us light the way for others to come to Him.

Super Soaker Can't Douse My Little Light

"This little light of mine...I'm gonna' let it shine!" Remember that little Sunday School song? I sure do. We live in a world where many people are in darkness. And you and I might just be the LIGHTS that cause the darkness to flee -- not so much by what we say....but what we do in spite of our own circumstances. They're watching how we demonstrate God's love, peace and joy -- right in the middle of some of our darkest times.

Quite often something happens in our day to try to douse our "Little Light". It may be a negative comment or someone's bad mood or a surprising situation like a flat tire or a washing machine breaking down or a bad medical report or any other bad news coming our way. The "stuff of life" wields its water gun filled with doubt, worry, and negativity at us. What may have started out as an occasional little water gun squirt hitting our flame, soon becomes a super soaker blast of water trying to douse the fire of energy and enthusiasm that we had. In those times, it's easy for our little light to become a little flicker.

The good news is, we have a choice to wring ourselves out from the onslaught of negativity and all the "stuff" being sent our way. It takes a conscious effort to keep our "Little Lights" blazing! St. Paul reminds us, "you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8). That's what the darkness needs -- it needs lights to penetrate it -- in spite of our circumstances and the darkness around us -- it needs LIGHTS -- that conquer every opposing force to continue shining God's LIGHT. People will be thinking "How can they be so peaceful, full of joy and hope -- when I know they're going through the stuff of life, just like me?" Before long, they'll get it. They'll know it. And they'll want it, too! "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.