Last week, I was asked to submit a short video clip of encouragement on behalf of my daughter, Savannah.
My first response? “Nope, not gonna do it.” I knew this would be a challenge for me. It would be challenging for several reasons. I am 51 and Savannah would have been turning 24 soon. It’s obvious there’s a huge difference between what may be encouraging to a 51- year old, as opposed to a 24-year old. So, I would need to “think” what someone more than half my age would want to share. But that’s not really what would be the most challenging for me. The bulk of the challenge came in allowing myself to think like Savannah and think about what was important to her. Encouragement was a God-given gift of hers that she freely poured on others. It was challenging because it was another painful reminder that Savannah is not “here” with me. So, my gut said, “No, not gonna do it.”
Then, the Holy Spirit, my conscience, and my mindset persuaded me to change my mind. I was faced with the reality that Savannah would have jumped on this opportunity. She would have loved to send a video of encouragement to others. I also believe that if the shoes were on the other feet, Savannah wouldn’t have hesitated to send a video in on MY behalf, no matter how difficult it might be for her. I was driving when I was processing all of this and literally said out loud in the car to myself, “Grow up. You need to get over yourself and do this.” (I know. I don’t talk very nice to myself sometimes.)
Although this exercise was challenging, tear-provoking, and somewhat difficult, it was extremely rewarding and a source of blessing for me. It was good to allow myself to be in the same space as Savannah for a little while and think like I believe she would think. So, I faced the challenge and made the short video clip and sent it on.
It didn’t end there, though. I have been thinking about this video and what I gained from it for days now. I had spent hours thinking about what Savannah would say to others. This provoked a burning question within me.
“What would Savannah (or anyone else, for that matter) say I would say?” In other words, what would those around me say would be words of encouragement I would choose to share with others? What would they think is important to me?
I was reminded of a chapter I had recently read in Jesus, Life Coach by Laurie Beth Jones. The author reminds the reader to “remember where your light comes from” and is discussing an art class she had taken where the instructor helped the students understand that the source of light is paramount to being able to “see” something accurately and will affect every aspect of the drawing. Although the class was discussing perspective in drawing, the fact that knowing where our LIGHT is coming from is crucial in life.
So, I ask, “Where is YOUR source of light coming from?”
Scripture tells us in Matthew 6:22-23 that “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, therefore, your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But, if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”
Gnaw on that a while.
This says to me, if my eyes work, they will see light and will exude light. If my eyes do not work, they will not see light, nor will there be any light to shine from me.
This begs another question!!!
“Is my light shining?” Am I in a place that I can receive light and allow that light to shine? Am I seeking God in all that I do? Am I living Psalm 119:105? This scripture says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Am I being intentional in living the way God intends for me to live? Or, am I simply reacting to my circumstances? Ouch!
Yet another question is begging to be answered!!!!
“What is my light focused on?” In other words, what am I paying attention to in any given situation?
I began thinking about what it is like walking into a dark room. We lived out in the country when my kids were young. The electricity would go out quite frequently and typically would stay off for hours. When the sun set, out came the candles, oil lamps, and flashlights. Honestly, those were fun times because I had to get creative, especially, with little ones running around. Everyone had their own flashlight and we would walk around with them facing forward so we wouldn’t run into the walls and furniture and could do what we needed to do in the dark with the single light shining. Whatever the light shone on, is what we “saw” and what we focused on. The beam of light directed our path.
What is our beam of light focused on? If we focus on the negative, what is NOT, and how bad something is, then, that’s all we see. However, if we shine our light on the positive, what IS, and the good aspects of something, then, THAT’S what we see!
I’m going to admit something, during the holidays, we watched Netflix’s Bird Box. It’s an odd movie with some disturbing images. I would not recommend it to the faint of heart. It’s a movie that stays with you a little while. You see, the characters must wear blindfolds when outdoors so that they do not “see” this odd “presence”. Once seen, life ends. Disturbing, indeed.
This movie got me to thinking about living blindfolded. If our light isn’t shining and we aren’t seeing light, then, aren’t we facing life blindfolded? Are we simply reacting to our environment and what comes our way trying to avoid obstacles that seem to come out of nowhere? Are we “seeing”?
What if we took our blindfold off and found our flashlight of God’s Word; turned it on so that we could see our lives from a Heavenly perspective; and focused the Light beam toward others, not ourselves? How would our lives be different?
This is the time we hear people talking about New Year’s Resolutions, setting goals, and making changes. This all sounds really good. However, many resolutions are broken, goals are never achieved, and changes never made. I’m wondering if it’s because these resolutions, goals, and changes are made without considering the source of the light. Hmmmm….
Before making that resolution, setting the goals, and determining to change, I encourage you to take your blindfold off, find your flashlight, turn it on, and THRIVE!
Stephanie