A Bright Spot in the Gloom

 

Heavy clouds cast a feeling of melancholy around the lake. It blocked sunlight, subdued colorful flowers, and darkened the lake. 

 

            But despite the dreariness, a trio of bees gathered in my orange and white flowers. Blooms dipped as tiny creatures clung to bell shaped flowers. 

 

            Only a few melodies drifted to my patio as most birds remained quiet in the dismal morning. 

 

            After days of rain and little sunshine, I certainly welcomed some brightness. Then he appeared. A bright figure darted from my oak tree to a nearby cypress. The scarlet cardinal provided a bright spot in the gloom. His color made me smile and reminded me that there are other bright spots. 

 

            With so much despair and horrible problems in our world, it is easy to become enmeshed in hopelessness. Knowing and trusting Jesus gives hope, peace and strength for our difficult times. 

 

            When we know Him, we can become bright spots to give hope and encouragement to those around us who worry and are fearful. 

 

Let not your heart be troubled. believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many^]mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3 (ASV)

 

Loving Father, thank you for your promises. Help us trust and follow you so we can share your Word with a desperate world. Amen.  

Unappreciated Thumbs

 

Throbbing pain interrupted my sleep. During the day, it curtailed my normal routine. 

 

            Each day, my right thumb grew larger as it swelled and the redness increased. Every touch caused more torment. Holding a toothbrush. grasping the steering wheel, or holding a pen brought suffering. Every time I used my right hand pain increased. 

 

            When I used my left hand, chores took me forever or I couldn’t do them at all. Unloading the dishwasher took about three times as long as normal. I couldn’t latch a necklace without the right thumb so gave up. 

 

            I stared at the stubby appendage. Compared to my fingers, my thumb looked like a short, chubby finger banished from the group and stuck on the side. 

 

            In reality, the thumb is vital in grasping firmly and adding stability to each task when cooperating with the fingers. 

 

            As I endured discomfort for several days, I marveled at how pain in a small part of my body affected my life. Consumed me. Restricted daily activities. 

 

            The agony and reduced use of my thumb, humbled me. I thought of people with no thumbs or hands. Those who endured intense suffering every day. My inconvenience was minor compared to their trials. 

 

            A trip to the doctor brought a diagnosis and antibiotics for an infection. I no longer wince each time I touch it and am thankful for the red, swollen digit that works diligently when it is healthy. No longer will I ignore it but appreciate every task it handles. 

 

            At church, in businesses, at schools or wherever people gather, there are those in the spotlight. They receive honors, praise and encouragement. 

 

            However in the background, many people quietly go about their work with little encouragement or rewards. They are vital, like my thumb, but often unappreciated. 

 

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:21-27 ESV)

 

Loving Father, show us how to appreciate people in the background who keep things going for those upfront. Thank you for them. Also, thank you for designing our bodies with perfect, but sometimes unnoticed, parts. Amen