From the beginning, light has been a source of peace, understanding, guidance and soul-stretching. Light led the way to the manger and to the source of all truth and goodness.
Last night after a long day of hard labor, we hoisted our tired bodies into the cab of an aging dump truck. We began the long drive to the place we now call home. A lovely sunset had waned and darkness was racing to swallow up all traces of light. Even before we turned off the main highway, our headlights failed and the road seemed to disappear. Panic set in just before the lights flashed back on. Soon the times of darkness again punctuated the path ahead of us. There was a short in the electrical system that continued to leave us in patches of what seemed like a dark abyss. We depended on the lights of others along the way to keep us on the foreboding path ahead. The last several miles of our journey took us on a winding road through no-man's land. Our lights ceased to shine. My heart raced and fear fought to replace faith. There was no way to see the uncertain, less-traveled road that could lead us safely home. Turning to the only source of Light in the darkness of night, I prayed for God to light the way before us. I began to sing "The Lord is My Light," a hymn by James Nicholson, and John R. Sweney, inspired by the message in Psalm 27 . It is a lyrical reminder of the need for a heavenly light source that can guide us through all of life's dark places. Here are some highlights.
"The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
By day and by night his presence is near.
The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night . . .
He leads me along.
The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise,
Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies
Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign.
Then how can I ever in darkness remain?
The Lord is my light, my all and in all.
There is in his sight no darkness at all."
The same composer, with text penned by Eliza E. Hewitt, wrote the upbeat song I play every morning – "There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today." It reminds me to keep the divine light aglow within my heart.
Back on the road with wavy arrows reflecting a warning of the crooked path ahead, the Light came and spoke peace to my heart. Our headlights flashed intermittently just enough to keep us within the fringes of safety and remind us that we couldn't cut through the cover of night without divine intervention. When we continued up the bumpy, dirt road leading us to our place of refuge, our solar lights illuminated the path through the property and into our safe haven. Motion detectors opened the dark curtain exposing our keyhole and the welcome threshold back into the light. Gratitude washed over me as I pondered the blessing of knowing how to call upon the services of the Head Electrician, the Giver of Light and Life. When we allow the sunshine to come into our soul, we can carry a bit of the Heavenly Light with us on every journey. What's up? The greatest, unfailing source of peace and power on the planet: The Son. – from Nani's Notes
Here is a great tag that says "May you feel God's Sunshine in your soul today!" with an ending greeting of either "Your Friend," "Your Young Women's Leaders," or "Your Visiting Teachers." Whatever the need may be, this is a fun way to spread a little sunshine to those around you. Just print out the page you would like, cut and attach it to a small mason jar. Fill the jar up with yellow lemonhead candy or some other little treat. It will surely bring a smile to anyone's face! Enjoy!