Happy Friday, my friends! The last one of this glorious month of October. It was unusually dark this morning as I was backing the car out of the garage to take my daughter to school. I did a double-take of the time to make sure we were heading out at the same time. Yup, 7 a.m. Praise God, it’s Friday!
Slowly, making the way to school, I reflected on a quote that I read last night, in my Reader’s Digest, that was stuck in my memory. It’s by Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kuber-Ross:
“People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
Immediately, after reading that quote, I thought of Jesus. He is the light within me. If I think of myself as that stained glass window, and His light as shining in me, how much more do I shine when life is good and joy is filling my heart?! It’s easy, right?
But what about the cloudy, gloomy days? Does my light flicker and wane as the cares of this world blow blustery around it? Or do I feed the flame with the light of Jesus and the Word of God to shine brighter and brighter inviting others to share in the glory? I pray so!
I want all of the broken pieces of my life (the broken dreams, heartbreak, and 
difficult times) to shine as a beautiful stained glass mosaic as a result of the glory of God with the light of Jesus shining from within me. To do that, especially during dark days, I have to add fuel to the flame. I do this by reading the Word of God, praying, singing along to worship music, and fellowshipping with other believers.
“Where is your “gloomy, cloudy” place today? Where do you need the light of Jesus to shine? Christ is God’s plan to dispel darkness–by sending His son, the Light of the world, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV) Seek Him, He is waiting for you with open arms. And unlike the rising dawn and setting sun, His light will never go away. He is everlasting!
All the glory to God,
Shanon
Image of “Let There Be Light” stained glass picture by Clare Forster
Image of “Let the light of Christ Shine” candle image by southernspiritonline.com
Kuber-Ross, Elisabeth. “Reader’s Digest Quotes.” November 2018 edition. Print.
In its simplicity, and what I tell my kids, is that praying is talking to God. I remember when I was quite young, I wasn’t sure what to say to God, so I remember my prayers had more of a King James slant with many thou’s and thy’s. There is nothing wrong with praying that way, it just wasn’t natural to me. I discovered the best way for me to pray and converse with God is to be me.
In the fall of 1990, while my mother was sick with cancer, the church I was attending at the time had copies of a monthly devotional book called, “Our Daily Bread.” Several copies were placed neatly on a table along with the monthly bulletins and tithe envelopes. Because of my extreme anguish and pain at the time, I was hungry for anything from God to soften my pain and give peace to my anxious soul. I immediately grabbed one and devoured page after page. I still have the tattered, highlighted, and ear-marked copy. It is a testament to me of God’s faithfulness and love, and yes, new beginnings.
Heaven Sent Sentiments 