Tag: How the Light Gets In

• Day 24: Beckoning

  Posted at 11:03 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 24, 2020

  Day 24; the light comes in beckoning.

  BECKONING

  I like this word. There are layers to it. It’s thick with invitation and calling and it’s warm and intentional. I like words. I really like this word.

  The days are darker now, literally. So, when I see the sun shining on the creek; I take notice. It beckons my attention long enough for my heart to be grateful & my hands to take this picture.

  

  The days are also darker now figuratively. SO hearing, seeing, feeling the beckoning of light can be harder. The light is always beckoning.

  

  Sometimes I need the invitation spelled out for me.

  If today is one of those days for you; listen up.

  There is an invitation waiting just for you.

  Jesus is beckoning:

  What do you want me to do for you? Come and See… All I have is yours. Don’t be afraid just believe. Don’t worry. I am with you always. YOU are the light of the world. Shine!

  -Mark 10:51, John 17:10, Mark 5:36, Mark 4:35, Matthew 28:20 & 5:14-16

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Beckoning, How the Light Gets In, invitation, John 17:10, Mark 10:51, Mark 4:35-41, Mark 5:36, Matthew 28:20, Matthew 5:14-16, Shine Your Light Baltimore

• Day 23: Holding Space

  Posted at 7:44 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 23, 2020

  Day 23; the light comes in holding space for differences.

  HOLDING SPACE

  

  Their respective lights doing what they were created to do: The night holds rich darkness and rest and quiet. And, the day takes the hustle and noise and heat away with it.

  Both are able to hold space together in this moment. The delicate beginning of the moon and the blazing sun – their lights are not comparable, they are not competitive. They are both necessary and good.

  “Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is… Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”

  Pope Francis

  At the start of this Thanksgiving week and the end of my search for how the light gets in; I’m grateful for this lesson written in the heavens.

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Heaven, How the Light Gets In, Moon, Nature, Pope Francis, Sun

• Day 22: Comforting

  Posted at 8:23 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 22, 2020

  

  Day 22; Honey shows us how comforting the light can be.

  The old girl reminds me how warm and enveloping light feels. Every day she seeks out the brightest spot and basks in the warmth of it.

  COMFORTING

  Random transition here but – I used to think it was bad to write in my Bible. I thought it somehow disrespected the book or God. Or maybe I just thought it looked messy? Either way. My Bible was crisp and clean.

  Not anymore. Scriptures are underlined, highlighted and circled. There are dates and names scribbled all over it.

  To flip through my Bible and devotionals and read through it all is powerful for me. To then sit with the scriptures that held meaning in the moment feels like basking in comforting light.

  

  I was bitter (and confused and angry) because of all we were going through as a family. I thought I’d been a good Christian and deserved a smooth life because of it.

  Oh, how much I’ve learned and am learning… God is not transactional. This world is broken. Just because I’m a good Jesus follower doesn’t guarantee an easy ride. God is all-powerful but still very present in the most precise of details in my own little life and I’ll never get over it.

  Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with whole hearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him. “Go back and tell Hezekiah this is what the Lord the God of your father David says, “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.”

  2 Kings 20:2-6

  I held onto that promise for another two years.

  Then there’s this. Haha.

  

  Find a cozy, quiet spot and read this from Isaiah 30:15-21.

  

  Find your strength today sitting in quiet stillness. Let the comforting truth that no matter which way you turn, an all-powerful God is beside you whispering the way to go.

  

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged 2 Kings 20:2-6, Bible, Comforting, Hezekiah, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 30:15-21, Jesus Calling, Streams in the Desert

• Day 21: Growing

  Posted at 2:54 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 21, 2020

  Day 21; the light comes in GROWING what it touches.

  GROWING

  According to the Talmud (a Jewish holy book), there’s a teaching that says this:

  

  This tells me two things. First, God is very detail oriented. And second, we are meant to grow.

  God is so dedicated to seeing every detail of His creation reach it’s fullest potential that He assigns angels to blades of grass. Imagine that.

  You, spectacular human, are worth more than a blade of grass.

  For you, He doesn’t just assign, He commands.

  For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11

  A blade of grass grows up from where it’s planted, reaching for the light and listening for the whisper of it’s angel.

  Today, I hope you remember you are not alone and I pray you grow right where you are, always reaching for the light & listening for the whisper (and sometimes roar) of your team of angels.

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Angels, How the Light Gets In, Psalm 91:11, Squad, Talmud

• Day 20: Reviving

  Posted at 2:50 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 20, 2020

  We’re all at risk of falling.

  Day 20; the light comes in reviving the faintest of thumps into a steady, strong heart beat.

  REVIVING

  

  This picture was taken just after surgery #5. There was just supposed to be one surgery. One. But that one ended up being five in ten months. That’s a lot of anesthesia and IV’s and stitches and “mommy’s in bed again” or “mommy’s coming home tomorrow.”

  Modern medicine was failing me and I was falling.

  What do you fall into? Alcohol, bad relationships, porn, isolation, fear, cleaning, work, resentment, pain, asking why…

  It’s all dark there, whatever it is.

  I’ve been there plenty. I don’t need to bore you or freak you out with the things I can fall into. You’ve got yours too.

  Just don’t get stuck there… barely living.

  It’s time for a revival. Be gentle with yourself. Now find some light. Get yourself to a window, light a candle, open the door and get out there.

  Stepping out into the physical light of day to let the sun warm your face is REVIVING.

  

  Close your eyes.

  Imagine Jesus with his hand over your heart,

  pressing in to where it’s the most quiet.

  Now listen.

  “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.”

  – Revelation 22:20

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Amanda Lindsey Cook, Fall Risk, House On A HIll, How the Light Gets In, Revelation 22:20, Reviving

• Day 19: Shining

  Posted at 7:37 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 19, 2020

  SHINING

  “The thing about light is that it really isn’t yours; it’s what you gather and shine back. And it gets more power from reflectiveness; if you sit still and take it in, it fills your cup, and then you can give it off yourself.”

  Anne Lammott

  Day 19; when the light comes in SHINING, make sure to gather it up. But don’t stop there.

  If you grew up in church or near anyone in church, you have to know the song, “This Little Light of Mine.” So, we had a more charismatic upbringing in the church. One of the lines and actions I remember most (because there was always a corresponding action) was:

  “Hide it under a bushel? (shrug your shoulders & look confused)

  NO! (point your finger & smush your eyebrows)

  I’m gonna let it shine (now puff up your chest & point to yourself)

  It’s going to be stuck in your head today. You’re welcome.

  In this world of restrictions and recounts and rising numbers, remember these words from Jesus. Gather them up in your heart and then shine them back:

  “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept… If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—SHINE! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Anne Lammott, Covid, How the Light Gets In, Light on a Hill, Matthew 5:14-16, Shining, This little light of mine

• Day 18: Reaching

  Posted at 10:05 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 18, 2020

  Day 18; the light comes in REACHING high, low, across, down and through.

  REACHING

  

  

  

  We can see how far-reaching the light is.

  For now, let’s consider what happens when we are the ones doing the reaching.

  

  Reaching out to God -for hope, an answer, for peace, for healing- it can feel vulnerable and shaky.

  Consider who you’re reaching to though.

  I just found this verse I’d underlined in my bible.

  Is anything too hard for the Lord?

  Genesis 18:14

  

  Shaky hand, somewhat steady heart – I reached out to God to ask for healing.

  Who knew that just three days later I would be completely healed from layers of deep pain and trauma and metal coils?

  He did.

  That’s the thing about God; He’s always behind, before, beside us. He’s just trying to reach you any way He can.

  God, Master Artist and Sweet Friend, I pray for my friends reading today. I pray they would put aside their fear and doubt. I pray they would push through their anxiety and reach out to You. Whatever is deep in their hearts, Father. I pray they would reach in and name it then offer it to you. I pray my friends are surrounded by and so overwhelmed by Your light, God, that after they roll their eyes and take a deep breath, they can say “Okay, here it is God. Do your thing.”

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Genesis 18:14, healing, How the Light Gets In, Reaching

• Day 17: Delighting

  Posted at 7:46 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 17, 2020

  Day 17; the light is coming in all sorts of ways bringing joy and happiness.

  DELIGHTING

  

  The light touches simple spheres of soap & water making them magical.

  

  Adding light to an ordinary night turns it into a summertime tradition of dance and attitude (clearly).

  These pictures make me smile from the inside out. Aside from the bubbles and glow sticks, these pictures also have kids in them.

  The littles are doing life right. You know?

  The American Academy of Pediatrics says: “Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.”

  Play is not just for kids. We need it to so we can interact with the world around us with physical and emotional strength in love with creativity for the good of ourselves and everyone around us. When was the last time you found yourself delighting in something? What was it?

  TODAY: Go for a walk, play tennis, basketball, kick a soccer ball, play frisbee, cornhole, climb a hill and run down it, play a round of Go Fish, lay on some grass and stretch, blow some bubbles and get up and catch them, paint, take pictures of where you are; GO UNTIL YOU FIND YOURSELF DELIGHTING IN THE DAY YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN.

  

  Today, let’s go…

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged American Academy of Pediatrics, basketball, Bubbles, Delighting, How the Light Gets In, paint, photography, Play, soccer, stretch

• Day 16: Leading

  Posted at 10:09 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 16, 2020

  Day 16; the light comes in LEADING us along our path.

  LEADING

  It’s important to understand that as it leads, the light illuminates our path but doesn’t lighten the load.

  

  Like this trail here. The light makes me aware of the rocky patches and the prickly cactus but the sunshine doesn’t erase them.

  There are still rough spots.

  Psalm 91 reads: “You will call on me and I will answer you. I will be with you in trouble. I will deliver you and honor you.”

  Isaiah 43 says: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze… you, YOU are precious and honored in my sight… Do not be afraid for I am with you.”

  Faith is more than a crutch or cliche. It’s work. It takes practice and effort. Just because you follow the light or love God doesn’t guarantee a cushy life. The scripture says “I will be with you IN trouble” not I will protect you from trouble. The verse in Isaiah says WHEN you pass through the waters not “follow me for an smooth ride.”

  Jesus himself, God in human form himself did NOT have an easy life. That says a lot. Despite it all, He came for you and for me giving more than this broken, rough world could ever offer.

  Call out to God when it feels dark, rough, overwhelming or scary. We have a God who knows what it’s like to lose a friend, to need some time away from the crowd, while also being the one who harnessed heat & light making the sun to greet us every morning.

  

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 43, leading, Psalm 91

• Day 15: Unassuming

  Posted at 8:05 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 15, 2020

  Day 15; the morning light comes in breaking through the dark of night, ushering in quiet power to start the new day.

  UNASSUMING

  It’s the morning light in particular that wins the prize for “Most Unassuming.” There’s no formal announcement, other than the birds singing. There’s no call to celebrate or salute the event that happens every single day.

  

  And there it is, quiet and powerful and modest and faithful.

  Unassuming is a quality I appreciate now in the noisy world we live in. My life feels loud at most levels – sound, color and speed. Does yours?

  The quiet sunrise feels like a sweet secret I find for myself everyday. (No one else is waking up for unassuming light around here.)

  That’s the key about this modest, powerful, faithful everyday occurrence- it’s available to you and me but you have to look for it. And when you set the alarm to look for it, you’ll find it.

  We’re on Day 15 friends, so you have to know this paragraph is going to point to more than light. Here we go… because that UNASSUMING, have-to-go-seek-it-out quality is true about God too.

  He isn’t loud. He whispers.

  Look for Him and you will find Him. He says so over and over.

  You will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me WHEN you seek me with your whole heart. I will be found by you.

  Jeremiah 29:13-14

  Set your alarm for sunrise, go outside and salute the new beginning.

  Then with your whole heart, call on the One who is waiting to be found by you.

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged How the Light Gets In, Jeremiah 29:13-14, Sunrise, Unassuming