Look for the Light

Lights flickered off tiny waves around the lake reminding me of light shows at Disney. Off and on they twinkled forming luminous patterns. The brief show ended abruptly. Dark water returned to somber calmness.

Birds chirped. Fish created circular ripples. Breezes rustled leaves. Two toned trees surrounded the lake. Each with a sunny side and a shadowy side. 

A gentle breeze ignited a fireworks-like finale of shimmering waves over half of the lake. The remainder was serene but gloomy. 

A dark dragonfly flitted close to the patio. As he darted about, sunlight glistened off his fluttering wings. An inky bird flew above the water. High above him, sparkly white contrails crisscrossed the blue sky. 

The resident gator floated past. His dark body was almost lost in the blackness of the lake. However, sunlight glistened off his wake and spiny back. In seconds he submerged. Hidden from view, his presence presented a mysterious and possible danger. 

The message of the lake show revealed life has hidden dangers, times of darkness, and happier periods of light. Some situations linger. Others come quickly and depart instantly. 

If I worry about unseen dangers which may never materialize and concentrate on the darkness, I will miss special seasons of light, whether brief or long lasting. Each burst of light gives hope, laughter, or encouragement. 

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 Celebrate always, pray constantly, and give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. This is God’s will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed. (The Voice)

Loving Father, remind us that no matter what we are going through, you are there to offer light in the darkness. Thank you. Amen.

The Other Jamaica

A picture of beauty in Jamaica with a bright blue sky, colorful tropical flowers, and towering palm trees was fit for a travel brochure. From a cruise ship or expensive resort, the island appears to be a paradise.

Searching deeper into the trees, up the hills, and away from the roads, a different picture emerges. For a week, our mission team experienced the other Jamaica not seen in promotional posters.

Each day team members spread out to minister in various ways. Lives were changed.

An elderly man moved from a patchwork shack to a sturdy, new home, the size of an American bedroom. His joy abounded as he thanked the team for blessing him. With a new bed, clean sheets, and a locked door, he can now sleep in peace.

For other families, freshly painted walls revived homes previous teams had constructed. Food baskets were distributed to seven families who desperately needed food.

Children flocked around Americans, who played games, painted faces, colored pictures, and hugged the excited youngsters. Bubbles and laugher floated around the play areas.

The dental/eyeglass clinics brought hundreds of people eager for health care. Two dentists worked tirelessly to extract decayed teeth. With no money for visits to dentists and poor dental care, extractions were the only option for the poor. They waited for hours but at each location. Every day many were sent home unseen because time ran out.

Over three hundred people came to have eyes checked. Almost all were helped to see better. Numerous ones wanted to be able to read their Bibles easily.  We saw every person who wanted to be checked, but a few had problems we could not solve which was heartbreaking. Cataract surgery, common in the U.S., is beyond the reach of the poor. Those who received glasses were so thankful.

During the week, hundreds of lives were touched--those we helped, those who watched, and those who served. As we strived to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we were blessed by Jamaicans who had peace and joy, in spite of, difficult circumstances.

Proverbs 19: 17 He who is kind to the poor, lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. (NIV)

Dear Lord, help us be Jesus to others and help us see Jesus in those around us. Amen

A Buggy Life

Slate clouds concealed much of the sky and prevented a colorful sunrise. The lake was a dark reflection of the distant forest. 

In the dimness of dawn, I spotted him. Six hairlike, jointed legs jutted from a cigar shaped, segmented body. Long antennas wiggled. Minuscule feet held him securely to the screen even when he hung upside-down. 

I studied the fascinating creature and was captivated by his appearance. His nearness made him appear larger and more important than anything else in my view. Up close, he looked bigger than far away trees, bushes and small clouds. My perception   was distorted even though I knew the truth. 

Other bugs enter lives every day influencing emotions and treatment of others. Being first to a parking spot overrides kindness to another driver. Preventing an obnoxious driver from merging could lead to an unnecessary accident. Hours on the computer replaces spending time with a special child. Consuming work produces lonely families. Social media substitutes for real conversations. 

The bug on my patio remained after the sun broke through the clouds. Brightness of the sky, dimmed his presence. Though interesting, he no longer was the focus of my day so I concentrated on the entire picture and not one small bug.

When situations threaten to consume me, I will try to determine if they are merely little bugs that can be ignored or if they are actually worthy of my time.

All the things the world can offer to you-the allure of pleasure, the passion to have things, and the pompous sense of superiority-do not come from the Father. These are the rotten fruits of this world. The corrupt world is already wasting away, as are its selfish desires. But the person really doing God’s will-that person will never cease to be.

1 John 2:16-17 (The Voice)

Finally, all of you, be like-minded and show sympathy, love, compassion, and humility to and for each other-not paying back evil with evil or insult with insult, but repaying the bad with a blessing. It was this you were called to do, so that you might inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9 (The Voice)

Father, help me to overlook the minor interruptions and concentrate on what is really important so that I can show love and compassion. Amen