Let Your Light Shine
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Floyd's condition remains about the same. We have had wonderful sunshine the last few days!!! They have been able to sit Floyd in the warm sun. I know that will help him feel better.
Recently I seemed to have been bombarded daily with challenging situations. I prayed for wisdom, grace, solutions and God's help to sort out each situation. I wanted to share about one particular problem that He really helped me with.
I have a wonderful, faithful little car. It's a 2001 Toyota Rav 4 that the Lord provided for me shortly after we moved here. Even though it's 19 years old, it has relatively low mileage so it keeps chugging along. I'm so grateful for it! It's perfect for me.
During our pandemic lockdown time, I have driven it around our neighborhood regularly to keep the battery charged. One day when I went out to do that, it wouldn't start. My son came to help me charge the battery thinking that would do the trick - but no luck. It just made strange noises. So I knew I needed to get a mechanic to come.
When I first explained the situation, it was thought that it was 1 of 2 potentially big problems - both of which would mean I'd need to have the car towed to a garage. As I'm still in isolation, that would involve some big challenges to organize. I was praying!
The first mechanic that came was sure it was one of the big problems, but didn't have the equipment to do the testing. It was suggested I just get it towed. I asked that another mechanic be sent that had the proper testing equipment.
A very kind, helpful gentleman came - testing both things - and said that, no, that wasn't the problem. He suggested we check the battery again. It still wouldn't charge, but when he did some tests on it - he thought it was just old and completely run down. He said, let's put a new one in and see if that solves all the problems. And it did - the car started, and all the strange noises went away. It was as simple as that! After several hours, numerous phone calls, and two mechanics - my faithful little car was all ready to go again!! I'm so grateful. I almost danced a jig I was so relieved. And who knows, maybe the Lord helped "heal" some of those problems in the process!
In the aftermath of all this, the Lord clearly spoke a couple things to my heart:
- Worrying and stressing doesn't help anything. I have to admit that when it seemed that I might need to tow my car, I was stressed! My mind immediately went to all the complications of doing that. I kept praying, but I was also stressing.
- The Lord also reminded me that He is watching out for me. I particularly saw that when the 2nd mechanic came. He was such a kind, warm, caring man. He could see my concern. He assured me we'd figure it out. His gentle spirit reminded me of Floyd in many ways. I felt the Lord sent just the right person to help me.
I've seen the Lord help me with little things and with HUGE things on this unexpected journey. This problem was somewhere in the middle, but it seemed big to me. It was one more thing I had to deal with all alone. At times like these, I really miss Floyd. The Lord reminded me that I'm never alone! He is by my side continually.
Through it all, it's given me fresh grace to face some other challenges that are before me! I'm so grateful for God's goodness and faithfulness.
"The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7
"Do not be anxious about anything." Philippians 4:16
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"When I am afraid (stressed, worried), I put my trust in You." Psalm 56:3
I'm aware of God's help and strength each day, but this situation with my car was such a sweet reminder that God is with me! And I'm so grateful that my car is working just fine!
A movie was on TV recently that I felt drawn to watch. It was early evening, I was tired, and I was heading to bed - but instead I knew I was to watch the movie. I've actually seen it several times before. In fact, Floyd and I saw it in the US in 2015 shortly after it was released - "Woodlawn." I love the movie! It's based on a true story about a high school football team in Alabama in the 1970's that experienced a spiritual revival. Set in a time of racial tensions, divisions and segregation, it shows the impact of what happened after most of the team gave their hearts to the Lord.
At one point in the movie it references a gathering at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas called "Explo '72" where Billy Graham spoke. 80,000 young people attended. The effect of the gathering was felt for many years to come as young people dedicated their lives to the Lord. One night after Billy Graham had spoken, the lights of the stadium were darkened. A candle was lit - and used to light another - and those two lit two more - and so on.......until the whole stadium was lit. It was a powerful illustration.
I sat crying and worshipping the Lord after the movie. A couple messages have taken root in my heart that I have been praying into. The first is, of course, the candle illustration. I think we underestimate the impact we can have as we share our "light" in the darkness of the world's needs. A kind word, an encouragement, a prayer, a phone call, an email, a helping hand.......these simple things are so needed in our pandemic world. People around us are fearful, overwhelmed, many are without hope......our small "light" can go far and wide as we sensitively reach out to those around us. I can do that from my home in isolation! I was stirred to "let my little light shine!"
I also couldn't help but think of all the racial division and strife in our world today. It's front and center in the US right now, but it's not limited to one country. It's right in front of us wherever we live. I loved seeing how the spiritual spark in that football team spread - and impacted the racial tensions of that period in time. I'm praying for God to break in again into our world afresh! We need Him - we need His loving message of redemption.
"Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' " John 8:12
"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8
"You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14
"Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31
"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19
I sometimes feel "limited" because of my situation, but I realize my "light" is not limited in any way. I'm asking God to help me shine bright. In the movie it says "this is what happens when God shows up." Let's ask Him to show up! He can do that in and through us!