How Things Change
When I was younger with little ones running around barefoot with a high level of noise and excitement near the arrival of the Baby Jesus AND Santa Claus, I used to answer the question, “What do you want for Christmas?” with the half-giggled response “Peace and Joy!” Oh, brother, did I want Peace and Joy!!!! As years passed, I realized soon enough, Peace, was far off in the distance and, besides, I had always been a glass half-full kind of gal and one who, thankfully, realized Joy often presented itself right in the MIDST of chaos. I had some chaos!! Now, the bare feet are those of grand children adored whether 25, 21,11 or 8 years of age…its just the sound their bare feet create has changed…some pitter patter while others boom-boom actually like the reindeer on the roof. And when I am asked that same question, “What do you want for Christmas?” my response is the same but without the giggle, though; “Peace and Joy!” Now, that desire for Peace and Joy is more like a very sincere prayer. I really do hope for Peace and Joy…not just for my life or my home or my family and friends but for our WORLD. I’m still that glass half-full gal, and I still affirm that there has to be darkness for the Light to shine, I just don’t like to feel that I am seeing more darkness…and its not cataracts because I’ve been there and done that with removal and new lenses. When I watch the evening news, I am totally silent, mostly in dismay over the criminal acts, the expressed strife that so many riots and rebelling represent, the horrific beheading of innocent people by evil doers who claim to be acting in the name of Allah, the never-ending anti-semitic warfare Israel must experience, the countless school, workplace, large public places shootings, bombings, etc. etc. I feel our world is in a state of morph…and not in a good way. So, as NBC has started when closing out the nightly news, they offer a final report that makes the soul smile a bit…I find myself doing my own version of perspective adjustment by adding to my prayer list those identified throughout the newscast in need of prayer. My problem now being a septuagenarian (even though I cannot pronounce it)is, I seem to drift off into another train of thought or fall asleep before I cover the entire prayer list. I do firmly feel that God knows what is in our hearts so I do believe He has received all my prayers whether I was awake or not going down my list. Isn’t God just so amazing!!! Yes, things…even we change. I’m 70 years old. My doctor says I’m shorter. My doctor also says I don’t NEED ice cream. I like her anyway. I don’t stand quite as straight now. I don’t have as much energy. I live alone but don’t feel alone. I love more people. For some reason, I think more people love me. I see God EVERY day and talk to Him off and on all day long. God puts up with me. God orders my steps. I am so thankful. So what about Peace and Joy? If I have Peace in my heart there will always be Joy in my life. The way we deal with the darkness in our world is to shine our Light. Light overcomes darkness…there is NO PUTTING IT OUT! Can you imagine how bright our world would be if EVERYONE would shine his/her light!! Let’s go light our world!!!...
Read MoreThe Light That Shines
Remember the sweet song, “This Little Light of Mine?” I sang it as a child in Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and in childhood neighborhood play times. During the Civil Rights movement, it was sung right along with “We Shall Overcome” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!” There are all sorts of ways that light shines on us as well as FROM us. Praise God for that because just as a seed planted in the soil, light from the sun must shine for it to grow into what it was intended to become. Think about that little seed…gently placed in the soil, most covered completely in the darkness, watered and then, we wait. We wait to see that first glimpse of the frail, little seedling making its way through the darkness into the light where it will prosper. We’re so much like that, aren’t we. So, following that analogy, what is the darkness from which we must burst into that precious light that will guide us, confirm us, and strengthen us? Darkness has many forms, some scarier than others. For some, it may be the darkness of the unknown…we do like to know what is coming and prepare ourselves. But sometimes, we just can’t know and it is unsettling. Other times, we may feel that we have been catapulted into darkness with a serious health diagnosis, financial crisis, relationship failure, job loss or the death of a loved one. The darkness that is experienced so often by the people we meet we cannot see and, therefore, we do not recognize that that’s where they are at the time. So how can we help? “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” Envision a very dark room for a moment. Then, you strike a match and light just one candle. The very second that match is struck light shines, it overcomes that darkness. There is a Buddhist Proverb: “If you light a lamp for someone it will also brighten your path.” That is so on target. I’m sure that you have experienced this at many times in your life…you share your love and encouragement with someone and you reap the benefits as well. I love the part in the movie Blind Side where Sandra Bullock’s haughty friends said, “You sure are changing that boy’s life!” and Sandra responded, “NO, Michael is changing our lives!” And then she left. Another quote I like is from Denis Waitley: “A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside.” God uses us to reach out to others…sometimes we are aware that that is happening but many times I think we are clueless. Just be ready to light that lamp for someone else. It can make a real difference for them as well as for ourselves. Peace and joy ~...
Read MoreWhat's Your Passion?
National Audubon Society
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