You can be a lighthouse illuminating a clear path for the weary life traveler. When those around you are complaining, cast your light into the darkness so that they may find gratitude. When someone is shrouded in sadness, shine your light with a flicker of hope of better days to come. When someone is discouraged, be a light of reassurance and encouragement. Be a light all day, everyday and let yourself stand out from the crowd. By nature, people are more inclined to follow the light than to wait in the darkness.
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Here is a short story. Marilee lived each day as if there were a dark cloud hanging precariously above her head. Do you know anyone like that?
Marilee was certain that nothing was going to work out for her in her life. She worried about everything and always expected the worst from life. For the most part she always got exactly what she was expecting. She lost her job, her marriage, her home and her friends abandoned her. She worried about her daughter but felt that she was better off without her. She thought that she was not good enough at anything or for anyone. She ended up on the streets a homeless alcoholic.
One rainy night as she crouched under the freeway overpass, shivering of cold she saw a stranger; a man climbing up the embankment toward her. She became frightened because she was all alone and helpless to defend herself. “This must be the end” she thought with a sigh. Finally, her poor miserable life will be over and she tucked her head under the blanket to wait for the end.
To her surprise, the man crawled up under the overpass and sat down next to her and said, “Hi Marilee.” She looked at him shocked that he knew her name. He was dressed in blue jeans and a black pullover shirt with no shoes. His hair was long and stringy, but he had kind eyes, which set her mind at ease. “What do you want?” she said meekly. He sat next to her without a word shivering in his damp clothing. She took the wool blanket she had on her lap and wrapped it around his shoulders. She reached into the plastic bag hidden behind the rock next to her and took the last of her food supply, a piece of dry bread wrapped in brown parchment paper from the mission, and offered it to him. He ate it quietly, savoring each bite.
When he finished, he pointed to the valley below at the lighted cross on top of the local church and said, “Someone is looking for you”. She laughed and thought he must be mad. She leaned back and closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them, the man was gone, blanket and all. The bright light on the cross came back into view and for the first time since she was a child, she had a sense of hope.
It was dawn and the rain had stopped. Marilee gathered her things and started to walk toward the cross, still dimly lit in the dark early morning sky. As she approached the church she saw a familiar figure sitting on the steps to the sanctuary. “Mother!” the woman cried out, “I have been looking everywhere for you.”
Marilee hugged her daughter and through her tears asked, “How did find me?”
"I received this strange letter with no postmark yesterday”, she said unfolding a familiar piece of brown parchment paper.
The note said, "Your mother is looking for you and you can find her on the steps of the church tomorrow. Please tell her thank you for the warm blanket and food. She was a light for me in the darkness”.
When the man approached her under the overpass, she thought it was the end and but as it turns out, it is just the beginning.
There are many things in life that can’t be explained, but God’s light will shine in and through us, if only we let him. Have a beautiful week!
i have to go reapply my make up now. what an inspiring story. thanks for shining your light.
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