light

In 1992, poet and songwriter, Leonard Cohen wrote a song entitled, “Anthem” from his album, “The Future.” There are a few lines that offer the message of hope in a dark world. “There is a crack, a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Louise Penny used a portion of those lines for the title of her best-selling book, “How the Light Gets In.”

The word “light” has two meanings derived first from the Latin, “lux” and the Germanic root “not heavy laden”. In the Latin derivative, light is luminous, lucid and illuminating. Even Lucifer means “bearer of light.” On the other hand, the Germanic refers to make the load lighter.

In our every day language we hear references to the word “light” in a variety of ways. “It’s getting light out” as we talk about rising at dawn to welcome the new day. At our meetings, we might ask someone to “shed some light on the subject” or ask them to show us the “light at the end of the tunnel.” Speaking figuratively, we might light into someone by attacking them fiercely or to get them moving quickly. On the other hand, we might suggest that the boss “lighten up” by making light of the situation.

Regardless of our worldly references to “light”, the bible has many references to the word light, and the first one is from the passage from Genesis:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1: 1-5

In Ephesians 5: 7-14, we are referred to as Children of Light who are to expose the darkness and to follow God’s example. Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus tells the disciples, “you are the light of the world… people light a lamp and neither do people put it under bushel.” We are to live as lights to those who are living in darkness. Let’s let our light shine into someone’s life today!

contentment

As I sit this morning watching the neighbor’s cat on my fence, I can’t but help notice him almost smirking at the world as he sits contentedly observing the quiet neighborhood. How many of us can honestly say, “I am content”?

There is sometimes an ever pervasive sense of having to get things done, worrying about our tomorrows and feeling that we are inadequate in so many ways. We long for what is missing in our lives and even though we have been blessed beyond measure, we fall into disgruntlement.

One evening a hard-working, tired man stopped to rest at the side of the road on his way home to his family. A woman with flowers happened to come by with her cart full of beautiful, perfumed blossoms. The man suddenly felt invigirated and asked her how much money for some of the flowers.

She told him, “take what you want.”

He replied, “but how much are they?”

“For you, they are free today. Your thank you is enough.”

And so the man took an armful and returned home to share them with his family. Because he loved them and wanted to preserve them, he planted the seeds in the garden and enjoyed them. They grew and so did his family.

Over the years, neighbors or vistors came and the children played in the yard and all enjoyed the solace of the garden, the comfort of the greenery and the spiritual nourishment that so many craved. The flowers continued to bloom despite the man’s warnings to be careful when anyone walked among the plants and he and his wife were content.

But as the years went by, the man became worried about his flowers. And because he wanted to be sure to protect them, he built a high wall around the garden. When his children and friends came to visit, he would only allow a few to enter the garden and they were told to be very careful walking and playing.

This of course caused concern among the family. The man set up rules about what they could do in the garden, how they would enter and even who could access the garden. The flowers though, continued to bloom under the care of the water and sun.

Time went on and grandchildren began to appear. This ony caused the man to fear even more for his garden. Precautions, requirements and rules were put into place even to the point of having lawyers to become involved for members of his family to access the beauty.

Gradually, the man’s family experienced less and less of the garden, the flowers, the peace and serenity the place offered and so they went off to search for the flower lady. The wonder of it all, was that she was still giving away her flowers. Source | John Aurelio, Colors. Stories of the Kingdom

The bible talks about contentment. Being content with what we have, to be content in the Lord, to be content with whatever situation we are in,,,,,

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-12

How content are you?

SQUISH

Many of us have heard of the story of the Starfish, but if your haven’t then…

IT ALL STARTED WHEN…

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,

“Well, I made a difference for that one!”

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved. 

adapted from "The Star Thrower" by Loren C. Eiseley

The starfish were sluggish, the girl was childish and the old man wanted to relinquish the hope for the little girl. She wasn’t selfish and he wasn’t quirkish; they just needed to diminish the number of starfish on the beach so that the starfish could flourish. Eiseley, the author, was able to publish the story and the others who helped the little girl and man got to embellish the tale. So what does it all mean?

There are two messages in this story that we could perhaps use in these days. The first concept is that any act of kindness from the heart is not wasted. Making a positive impact on the world is what we do when we choose to help others and show kindness. The second concept is that regardless of age, anyone can make a difference in this world by the choices we make and the kindness we extend to others, whether that be a smile or shoveling their walk; lending them your time, money or talents; or simply being a listening ear when troubles come our way.

So, my mantra each day that I take from the story is: Never let anyone squish your ish!

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

am

I am many things to many people, as we all are. To some a mother and wife, father and brother, a sister and friend, a mentor and listener, a fellow traveler and a philosopher. I am the reader on the plane or train, the speaker on the stage and the comforter at the bedside of the ill. I am the author of my story. I am to be the light to others and salt of the earth. I am always learning, searching, thinking and doing. I am because He lives.

I am the bouquet of flowers uniquely displayed from my vast jar of knowledge that leaves a fragrance of knowing throughout the room. I am the filled journal pages of detailed and descriptive narratives of letters splayed across the lined paper leaving words of wisdom and stories for others to read and reflect. I am the tasty cookie crumb of shortbread left on the Christmas snowflake plate of wintry days and Christmas now past. I am the echoing laughter of thousands of voices gathered together to celebrate some joyous ocassion.

I am getting older or rather, I am the frost on the window with silver hair, the cry of a lone wolf in the wilderness as I wander the walking paths of the forest alone, the creak of the rocker as I lift my weary bones from the feathered comforter on my bed in the morning. I am the faded black and white photo tucked into the page of a worn book left on the dusty shelf to be discovered by a tomorrow.

I am listening to the commentators list the variants of the COVID mutations as they use the Greek alphabet to name them all: Alpha, Delta, Onicron, Gamma, Beta. I am listening to the pastor deliver the sermon on Sunday morn and know that I am a child of God, accepted in His kingdom, receiving blessings for my life and waiting to live with Him in eternity. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is the beginning and the end. The authentic “I am” is God, referenced from both the Old and New Testament.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called:
I am he; I am the first and I am the last. Isaiah 48:12

And so, as I am wanting to tell a story, share a bible verse or listen to a friend, I am always becoming the person God wants me to be. Who are you?

jinsei

As we begin yet another linear year, I am again reminded of new beginnings. The old slowly seeps out of yesteryear and leaks its days of years gone by into the past; making way for something different. We are never sure of what tomorrow brings but we do have the hope that it will always be better than what we have gone through. For some, that is greater than others.

Years ago, a friend got me started on a new concept. At the beginning of each year, we would choose, or have a word chosen, for the upcoming year. There are various sites that can guide you. I use Dayspring - Word of the Year to generate mine. https://www.dayspring.com/yourwordquiz

The Japanese have a word: Jinsei, which literally means both everyday life and a lifetime. As I live each day, I take that word of the year and apply it to my life - I see it in word and action, ponder what it means and say it aloud. It is manifested in many forms and as I reflect back over the year, I see where it was evident in my everydays and as part of my life.

God too gives us a lifetime of words to read, stories to remember, verses to memorize, praises to sing, parables to learn from and multiple passages and chapters to reflect on in the bible. Daily bible verses are a source of hope, comfort when we are confused or afflicted and can inspiration and support us through uncertain days. There are verses that help us to sing, rejoice and be glad in the Lord!

We should be starting our day in the Word and building a foundation for our future. Finding a “read through the bible in a year” or reading and sharing a devotion, a podcast, a sermon are all ways that can enrich our days. Are you ready to start the year off with His Word on your lips, a song in your heart and scripture on your mind?

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, Deuteronomy 11: 18-20

tears

As this 2021 draws to a close, we think back over the past 20 odd months of what’s happened in our world. So many new memories to share as we age. I have been collecting hugs, snuggles and love in my heart for years. Our mother collected spoons, the boys hockey cards and everyone has plenty of photos collected over the years. Wealthy people have art collections and some items just collect dust. And then others collected tears in a jar.

As far away as 400 BC, women would keep the tears they shed for the men who went off to war. Some of the men never returned, but if they did, the wife would present the bottle as a token of love. There were other jars used for oil, perfume, cream or liquids that were kept in these ceramic containters, but the tear jar or lachrymatory, as it was called, was an expression of respect and sorrow for the dead.

There is a legend in Greece of the Tear Jar. Water was precious and giving up any water was considered a sacrifice. Tears that were cried for the dead was holy water and would be used to sprinkle on the sick to cool a fever or on a doorway to keep out evil. Tears were kept in unpainted bottles. Then when the grief was experienced because of a death, the grieving person would decorate the bottle depicting various aspects of that person’s life.

In other cultures, as much as 3,000 years ago, mourners would collect the tears in the bottle and then bury them with their loved ones as expressions of honor and devotion. I can’t even imagine how many tears God has shed for us as humanity. He longs for us to return to him. We cry out to Him. Sheila Walsh said a few years ago that, ‘Tears are prayers that travel to God.”

Even King David spoke of sorrow and tears in Psalm 56:8 when he said, “You have kept count of my tossings, put my tears in your bottle.” God does not forget about our sorrows. He is in the midst of these troubled times. And like the songwriter’s line from many years ago, “Our blessings come in teardrops.” When we shed many tears for our loved ones, our famlies and friends, our neighbors and communities, our country and our world, remember that God is collecting them in His bottle. He is there to comfort us and will save us from hurt, pain, loss and suffering. Not more tears. Praise His Holy name!

What a promise for a New Year! 2022