Be the light! 
Even when you don’t feel like it…
Because let’s be honest, some days you just don’t feel like it. 

If I’m being honest, I haven’t felt like it lately.

Sunday morning we woke up to water leaking in the house during a rain storm, Happy Mother’s Day to me! {insert eye roll}

I have a list of phone calls that need to be made, that I just really don’t want to make. *sigh*

I have been stretched thin for so long and the to-do list never ends that I don’t even have time to let myself feel anything…maybe that’s for the better at the moment…

Speaking of time…sorry to anyone who has attempted to get together with me, I’ll be frank…it’s probably just not going to happen right now!

Sorry if I’ve forgotten to respond to texts, and keep everyone in the loop, or even write on this blog as much as I’ve wanted too…my brain’s fried, don’t expect much from me. (please show me lots of grace!)

There are so many unknowns that this Type A personality needs to stop letting the questions run through her head…

Throw in a pandemic and nation that seems divided…anyone else sick of social media and everyone’s opinions?

Not gunna lie, I’m crabbbbby.
I’d rather hide it under a bushel right now…

But like the Sunday school song says, “No! I’m gunna let it shine”. 

I might have to force it at first, I’ll have to pray for God to soften my crabby heart…but as Christians, we are called to let our light shine, no matter our circumstances. Dare I say we should let our light shine MORE when we are in difficult circumstances.

Anyone can let their light shine bright when life’s going well, but what about when your life feels dark. When troubles sneak in…when life isn’t following “your plan”…I think that’s when you actually NEED your light to shine.

I’ve had times of doing this well, and times where I’ve fallen short. So, so short.

Maybe that’s showing my human-ness. Maybe God’s teaching me to shine even when I don’t have much reason too. Because as Christians, we should stand out. Be different. Not blend in.

Am I doing a good job at this? I’m not fully certain.

But I can keep trying. 

How’s your light? Does it feel like burning out too? This year has been hard, folks. Life’s not normal. 
Ours is definitely not normal. And sometimes I’m tempted to let my light fizzle out.

But I can’t.

You want to know why? Because God keeps reminding me that I have reason to praise His name! Even in the storm. He’s blessed us with so much goodness through this crazy mess, and has supplied us with everything we need.

There is always some good sprinkled in the bad.

As my complaints keep running through my head, I realized something…
When your light is going dim, think of the reasons ‘why’ and add a ‘but’.

What? Hold tight and hear me out.

The roof leaked…but we had multiple offers to help, and the next day my brother-in-law showed up to help us deal with it.

Phone calls need to be made…but I know there are people who are willing to help me figure it all out.

I have been stretched so thin, but I’ve loved getting to see the girls play spring sports, we are wrapping up school, and I’ve learned to just let things go a bit (and be okay with it).

The to-do list never ends, but I also have a list of people willing to take the kids off my hands, love on them, and give them what they need when I feel like I’m falling short.

I don’t have time for my feelings, but God knows what they are, and He gives me pockets of time where I can let ’em out and hand them over to Him.

I feel like I’m constantly letting people down, but I continue to have people reach out to me and ask how we are doing, and what we stand in need of. Our tribe hasn’t given up on us, we have not been forgotten. (Again I ask for grace!)

There are so many unknowns, but if I think back over the past year and a half, God has provided EVERYTHING we could possibly need. Often times before we even knew we needed it!

I could do another whole blog post on all the unbelievable blessings that have come our way. Things that just don’t make sense. Coincidences that aren’t coincidences. The kindness that has been shown to us from people we don’t even know. Commitments people have made to us. Gifts that just show up at our door or in our mailbox. So why should I worry?

What’s that verse about how God provides for the birds? *wink wink* (Matthew 6:26)

All these ‘buts’ are beginning to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside…
Humbled once again.

Don’t let your light burn out. If it’s dim, talk to God about it and add some more ‘buts’ to your complaints.
(Oh, how my kids would be chuckling if they heard me say that out loud…)

Be strong and courageous, and let that little light shine,
Lindsey

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:14-16