‘This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.’ I sang this little chorus more times than I can remember as a young girl in Sunday School.

‘Shine all over _______. ‘ 

The places changed from Levittown to Ashokan and Saugerties, Kansas City to Owego to Culpeper but the longing did not change. I wanted to shine my light all over the world.

Wherever I lived I wanted the Light within me to shine giving hope and peace.

Years continued to go by and I had my own children. We kept singing my favorite chorus oftentimes moving our hands around in a circle as we sang.

‘Let it shine. Let it shine. Let is shine.’

This morning the tune replayed in my memory as we read together about the importance of letting our lights shine, letting the Presence of Jesus be seen in us.

“Let your light so shine that men might see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5: 16)

Every day. Wherever we are. In every way we can.

I reflected back for a few moments on my journey and realized that still today that desire I had as a young girl is strong.

I want to be faithful.

To not miss any opportunity to give light and hope and healing.

‘Hide it under a bushel. Oh No.’ I can hear the shouts and giggles of children as we sang with joy years ago.

Light has a purpose. Light is necessary.

The darker the situation the greater the need for light.

Shining. Giving light and hope to a dark, confused world.

His Light within.

Freely letting it shine without cover up.

On every side are people needing the light of hope and encouragement. We see them pass us by all the time. Again I realize how little it takes to let the Light shine.

Seizing every opportunity to shine.

Grabbing every encounter and making it one where another is encouraged and uplifted.

This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.

Will you join me today?

Please do. What a joy to know that lots of little lights are shining today all over the world.

Don’t ever forget that your light is important.