Lights Of Hope
29 Mar 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: alice ervin, alone, chronic illness, daily, darkness, fear, fibromyalgia, God, hopekeepers, light, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, pain, rest ministries
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.” (Luke 11:33 NIV)
With all the power outages in our country due to winter storms lately, people are rushing out to buy candles and flashlights.
This brings to mind thoughts of when I was little and we would lose our electricity. Oh, that feeling of fear and alone-ness I would experience until someone would finally light a candle, or turn on a flashlight. It is amazing how that feeling would lift as I could see faces and familiar things. Even though it was a small light, it showed me that I wasn’t alone.
Today, when I think about the darkness of living with chronic illness, I am reminded of how Jesus told us we were to be “salt and light” to others. When we walk in His light, we radiate a tiny bit of that light to others. Sometimes during a time of our own darkness. God has shown me His light of hope so many times as I read your devotionals. And, sometimes I get a phone call or card from someone just when I need it. Even the smallest things give me the hope of knowing I am not alone.
I keep a small recorder beside my favorite chair. At times when I am having a really bad day, and all I can do is sit, I have started leaving a diary/stories of my life on this recorder for my children, grandchildren, etc. It doesn’t take much effort to do this, and I feel at some point, it might bring a bit of God’s light to someone even years from now. Especially when some of my stories tell how the Lord helped me cope through living with chronic illness.
My friends, I pray you will keep sharing the light of Jesus, even though, like me, there are times you don’t feel you can even sit at the computer. By doing this, you remind others to pray for you, and I, for one, can feel the prayers of the saints. And, I am thankful that you care.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alice Ervin lives with Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and various other chronic illnesses. Her life has been hurtfully changed in so many ways in the last few years, but she is grateful the Lord still allows her to be a usable vessel for Him.
Mar 30, 2009 @ 01:44:33
Oh, Alice! I just love your message today. I know exactly what you mean when you say just a flicker of light can make the difference in one’s day. It can come in many forms if we are open to it.
God’s light is always within but there are times we all need a human touch of care and understanding to keep us hopeful.
What you are doing in recording your thoughts is AMAZING! What a gift that is and will continue to be to your family.
My oldest niece made some recordings of my grandmother sharing about her early days on a farm in Michigan back in the early 1900s and some other things about her life. That tape got lost somewhere over these years but oh, how I wish my niece still had it. To hear the voice of a loved one who is not here with us would be such a treasure.
Nowadays, with videos and the like, this is more likely to occur but this time I speak of was before such things existed.
Yes, keep sharing yourself in all ways and esp. with us through your writings. I am blessed each time I read one. I love the light you share.
Love,
Lynn
P.S. I am most often having to lie down as sitting can get so disorienting so as you sit, I lie on my couch with my laptop pal right here to connect me to the outside world! Where there is a will, there is a way! You are not alone!
Mar 30, 2009 @ 02:41:36
Hi Alice!
What a neat idea you have, to record some of your walk with the Lord for your family!
Years ago, I started answering questions about my life in a “Grandma” book, but couldn’t do a lot of them because I couldn’t remember many of the things from my childhood.
I did some scrap booking from the time our first grandchild was born and thoroughly enjoyed it, but haven’t done any of that for quite awhile. Too many distractions of one kind or another.
I also enjoy making my own cards and have found that a satisfying kind of recreation lately. For their Christmas cards, I put a photo of each of our two grand kids, on the front. They were taken when they were real little and that was a big hit!
I think most of us, if we’re in tune with God and allow Him to guide us, can find creative ways to be lights in our dark world.
I so much appreciate the way you’ve encouraged me and others with your devotionals. That is a way of spurring US on to hold OUR candles high wherever we may be.
Hugs,
Beth
Mar 30, 2009 @ 05:45:22
Alice,
I, too, was very blessed by what you wrote. It reminded me that even a little bit of light can make such a difference in a dark world–and that I need to let my light shine more and not underestimate the “little” things I can say to encourage others.
I often think my light is too dim to do any good, but light is light! Jesus can do amazing things with even our smallest gifts. I have definitely benefited by others shining their light for my eyes.
Blessings,
Lisa