A Call to Share Light

I was getting a haircut last week when a man came into the salon and sat in the chair next to me. He was clearly distraught as he spoke of the shooting that happened live on social media for everyone to see. If I’m honest, I will admit that I had no idea who he was talking about. With the sudden loss of my husband last October, I’ve walked through my own dark grief journey the past year. In an effort to heal, I have eliminated most news and kept my social media interaction to a minimum. I am an empath by nature and I simply no longer had the head or heart space for all the negativity.

My first thought was prayers for his widow and children. It didn’t matter who he was. He left behind a wife and children who would miss him for the rest of their days on this side of eternity.

As the man continued to talk, he made the comment that he wasn’t sure how he could raise his son in a world that had come to this kind of violence.

I sat with his words as the next day led to the 24th year since the 9/11 attacks. I remembered as if it were yesterday, rocking my infant son in the middle of the night and wondering what kind of world he would grow up in. Was this the end of life as we knew it? How would I raise him in a world with that kind of violence.

I remember praying in fear and lament and I remember picking up my Bible.

What I have learned over the past twenty-four years, coupled with what I have learned over the past year, is while there is always space for grief and lament on this side of eternity,  as Christians, I believe we have to ask ourselves, do we believe God is in control or not? Do we believe He has a plan or not?

If we are able to answer yes to both of those questions, then we also know that we were made for such a time as this. When God knitted each of us together in our mother’s womb, He knew we would be here at this moment. He knew this about the children He would bless us with as well.

We each have a God appointed mission to share truth and light with the people who cross our paths. Darkness can never be countered with more darkness. The only remedy for darkness is light. Even the tiniest flicker can make a difference. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂