Sheltered Reflections # 7

By Maureen Kablus

Sheltering at home, I admit to basking in the afterglow of the church’s first Women’s Gathering via Zoom. It was a radiant success. The theme was “Let Your Light Shine’, and as I prepared for the event, I was immersed in writings related to light in our lives. We are living in turbulent, darkened times, and it is vital to remember that there is light abounding in the world. During these past five months, we all have looked at our lives in a different light, assessing reviewing and adapting.

We are reminded in Matthew 5 v 14-16, that “You are the light of the world. No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Each of us has gifts and talents, and should share them as we reach out to others, in creative, up-lifting, enlightening ways. We can radiate light, optimism, peace and love, touching many lives.

“When you give away some of the light from a candle by lighting another person’s flame, there isn’t any less light because you’ve given some away. There’s more. When everybody grows, there’s isn’t any less of anybody, there’s more of and for – everybody.” by Kaleel Jamison

What light have you discovered in these darkened times? What gifts have you shared or contacts with others that have lightened your life? How are you lightening others’ lives?

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine… ‘ Hymn

In John 8:12, we are told “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Proverbs 4:18 “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Christians always have access to Jesus, so we are never in total darkness: God is with us, illuminating the way.

As you head into the uncertain weeks ahead, look for the patches of light, and ways in which you can illuminate the lives of those with whom you come in contact, and “May the blessing of Light be on you, Light without and Light within. May the blessed sunlight shine on you, and warm your heart ‘til it glows like a great peat fire, so that the stranger may come and warm himself at it, and also a friend…” A Gaelic Blessing

Brilliant wishes,

Maureen Kalbus