Sharing the Light

A noise interrupted my thoughts tonight and took me to the window to see what the disturbance was. I sat and peered out the window as my mind was quickly distracted from the reason I had been led there. Instead, I saw a darkness that was lit up by the sparkle of light as it reflected from the raindrops that had collected on the Christmas lights that adorned our home. The brisk chill in the air was only present through the view of the fallen leaves and the wind that carried them about as if nature was painting a beautiful tapestry before my eyes. A wonderful time and season had come upon us again. How quickly the year passes and we find ourselves another year older and another year wiser.

Though I could see outside through the window, I discovered that the transparent glass had the ability to serve as a mirror reflecting my image into my sight. I looked upon myself as if I was seeing my illustration from another view. My thoughts were quickly impelled to ponder upon the year that had past. Foremost in my mind and heart was in gratitude for all the blessings that I have. How thankful I am that I encompass the knowledge that Jesus Christ lives. I boast of my wonderful friends and rejoice in an incredible family. I am exceedingly rich.

I sat back and took a sip of my hot cocoa. As the warm drink took the chill from me I thought about the gifts I had been given. Knowing that I had been given much, I asked myself of what gifts have I given in return? Contemplating this thought, I sat curled up in the warmth of my home looking toward the sky. I could see one star peeking through the clouds. How beautiful even one star was. I knew there were many but tonight that lone star had shone its light upon me.

I thought of how this world is filled with many stars that glimmer and shine, but my desire tonight was to be a star that would always be visible to someone who desired to look and see the twinkle and light that I have. I may never be great in the eyes of the world or influence great multitudes of people. My name will never be etched in the pages of history and my words never quoted. I will never write a best seller or be a movie star or sports idol. I will never become the president or CEO of a corporation. But I hope that I can quietly live my life doing the best I can. I want to be a wonderful daughter, great mother and grandmother. I want to be a loving and kind wife, a good neighbor and a loyal friend. I desire to be patient and honest and kind. Gandhi once said, “My life is my message.” I desire to make a difference in others by the way I live. I hope the message I leave in this world will be one that has touched and influenced others in goodness. I hope to be a star that shines brightly into the window of someone’s soul through my good works.

As tears of joy rolled down my cheeks and I pulled a blanket around my shoulders, I could hear from the other room good old George Bailey from the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life. I sat there and listened as a smile came across my face. What a wonderful message this show has brought into so many homes, but I wondered how many hear and understand the great lesson that is taught? Are we not like George thinking that our lives are not very important to the entire scheme of things in the universe? George thinks his life is a failure because he was never able to become an architect or travel the world. He soon comes to recognize that he has enjoyed “a wonderful life.” His little good deeds had affected the lives of so many people. Mother Theresa once wrote, “For there are many people who can do big things, but there are very few people who will do the small things.” George had no way of knowing he was influencing so many. Perhaps, I thought, I too have made a difference in the lives of those with whom I have traveled or met along my journey in this life.

So, taking another sip of my hot cocoa now more warm than hot, and turning back to once again gaze through the window to look at the star that had now disappeared from my view, I supposed that someone somewhere was probably looking at my star and enjoying it’s beauty and brightness. I knew it was still shining, but was touching another for a time and giving its light to one more.

Am I wiser? I think that perhaps I am. A year of growth has helped me to see that what I thought had been an interruption had in reality been an insight into a great view. Looking into the darkness yet seeing light tonight I understood a little more. Sometimes our world seems dark, but there is always light. Choosing to share that light with others unconsciously gives others permission to do the same. I may not be able to change the world, but I can make a difference in my world. Through the darkness, the wind and the rain, I want to be a sparkle of light that shines through and illuminates the view of others. And even when the wind blows, I want to help them to see the beautiful canvas that is being created right before their eyes. I think that I will too make a noise and interrupt the thinking of others only to help them to see what beauty and love there is in this world. Maybe I can make a difference and give hope to others. I do indeed hope that my life too is my message and that I will always share my light.