Friday Night, Lights, and Shining in the Darkness

It's July and here in the Northwest Summer doesn't officially begin until July 5th. Hopefully we'll begin seeing sunshine on a regular basis. School is out, graduation is behind us, and the Mama's were ready for a 

Friday night "on the town."  My girlfriends and I enjoyed drinks, dinner and celebrating a birthday at a local Japanese steakhouse where they cook the food right at the table. Even though we knew flames were coming as the chef poured oil and lit the grill with a match, when the dark room was suddenly bright with flames it got our attention. 

 I decided to pick up some groceries at Target last week while I was running errands and so I could save the 5% with my “red card”. (Do you have a red card? It isn’t a credit card, but a substitute debit card which takes your purchases directly out of your checking account after subtracting 5%. Every little bit helps- especially if you have tuition payments to a private University x two kids!) 


If you shop at a Super Target with a frozen food department like ours in the Harbor, you’ll notice that each section is dark until you walk by. Just as a person approaches, the lights switch on! Target’s goal is to save energy. We as followers of Jesus are given a different “light challenge”. When people glance at us, shouldn't we be shining from the inside out with Christ’s love so they want to look deeper and see what we have to offer?

I’m not talking about trying to win people's attention with fake smiles or personalities. I’m talking about making others feel welcome with genuine joy, kindness, approachability and a desire to listen. Anyone who lives  in the Northwest understands how welcome sunshine is and what a difference it can make to our outlooks.

Whether it’s the freezer lights at Target, the beautiful fireworks that we’ll enjoy on the 4^th, or the smile of a friend or stranger, let us be reminded to shine from the inside out. Won’t you join me in switching on your sunny love-light to all you meet? 

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:6

In His Grip, Jane