Reflection of the Light
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“The true Light that gives light to all was coming into the world.” John 1:9
I took the picture of our back yard that is with this blog and noticed the reflection of lights in the picture. The Christmas tree lights reflected off the back door when I took it. Later that day, I noticed the reflection of the sunlight through our windows onto the floor. It brightened and warmed our home. In my counseling office I have a prism in the window given to me by the funeral home who cremated my dear dog, Annie. When the sun light hits it directly in the afternoon, small rainbows bounce around the walls and the floor of the room. It always makes me smile, and I feel Annie’s spirit all around me.
In the darkness of the evening, the Christmas lights in the park reflect on the pond and make the lights even more magical. Lights shine brightest in the dark. Light illuminates the darkness. Light reflects on glass and other surfaces. To reflect is to give back, to throw back, to bounce back. Light bounces off the surface but does not absorb into it but reflects off of it.
As we conclude another year, what are your reflections of 2024? What has this year been for you? For some of you, the year has been filled with challenges, struggles, and sadness. For some of you, grief became an uninvited companion. Some of you experienced the joy of new life, new adventures, and new experiences. For some of you, life stayed about the same and familiar. This year has reflected changes and a different life for most of you.
I keep a log or journal of adventures or events, and each day I write down something that happened that was significant or noteworthy. Then on New Year’s Eve, I read through the year’s log and reflect on all that happened. It is also a time to give thanks to God for walking me through the year and for the blessings and the challenges of the year. As I reflect, I am aware that God has been with me through it all – the highs and lows, the joys and the challenges. God placed people on my path and gave me a purpose each day.
For the past nine years, since my husband, Dave, died, I have not written resolutions or goals for the year, but I have chosen a word to be my focus. My word for 2024 has been “listen.” I have been reflecting on how I listened this year. I listened to clients in counseling sessions. I listened to friends and family and shared life together. I listened to experts in various professions in making decisions. I listened to my heart and moved back to my hometown. I have tried to listen to God each day for my purpose that day.
To listen is to give one’s attention to a sound, to pay attention, to be attentive and take it in. It is not just hearing a sound, but it is taking it within your soul and understanding what another person or what nature is saying to you. To listen is to be reflective and give back your focus and acceptance to the one speaking. It is to reflect the light of that person into your heart.
As you reflect on this past year, recognize God has brought you through this year. God has illuminated your darkness with His light. God has listened to your heart. This year may not have been what you desired. You may feel sad, lonely, angry, different, or confused. It is in the darkest times of our lives that the light of Christ shines the brightest. The light reflects the glory of God and does not absorb the emotions but brings hope into them.
We have just experienced the Christmas Season when God breaks through the darkness of our lives and world and gives light and hope to everyone through the birth of Jesus. Emmanuel – God is with us. The Christmas lights reflect the joy of the season. When you pack away the Christmas lights continue to reflect the light of God’s love. Do not put away your kindness and the spirit of compassion and love with all the decorations. Reflect the true light of the world – Jesus – to this broken world every day. Christmas is not just a day – it is a season. A season that never ends because the light of Jesus shines in your hearts. It is not so much about what is going on around you but what is within you. In the darkness of your heart, God still shines His light of love and hope.
Reflect the light of Jesus. Allow the light of Jesus to shine within your own heart too.
My Books on Amazon
Live Different Moments
Living In The Different
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Different-passages-through-sorrow/dp/0998310239/
Life Lessons of a Lone Trooper
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Lessons-Lone-Trooper-Legacy/dp/0998310255/
