Fresh Flowers

‘No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar, but on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. Luke 11:33-36  A friend of mine once told me that when she lived in Seattle Washington she always made sure there were fresh flowers on her kitchen table. The flowers were not just for her but her family and visiting friends as well. When it comes to the number of cloudy days, Seattle ranks fifth averaging over 200 per year. The fresh flowers helped my friend see light when there was no light.  We know that cloudy days don’t negate the light that emanates from the sun. For the believer Christ is light. However like those cloudy days in Seattle, the light that is inside of us sometimes needs help to shine. We see and experience so much in this world which can sometimes leave us feeling as if that light is dimming. Blessed are we when the light of Christ is fully within us and everything we see and experience is interpreted by that light and not by the darkness that sometimes surrounds us.

Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.’ Luke 11:34,36

Seeing Again

Lent: Day 34  ‘Teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:46-52

Blind Bartimaeus wanted to see again. This tells us that at some previous point in his life, he did have sight and by some turn of event lost it. We all occasionally lose our way. It is easy in this world to be distracted by our hurt feelings, disappointments and frustrations. It is fortunate for us that God knows the heart that is left to tears and outcries of despair. Listen and take heart! The Savior’s journey travels every path that we take and calls us to once again to follow him in his path of light to resurrection and glory.

2 Corinthians 4:13-18 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Psalm 43 O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.