Gathered and Growing

I love sunlight peeping through trees and the sun beams out of the clouds. If I still had my phone from high school, you’ll find picture after picture of sunlight peeping through trees. I recently learned of the Japanese phrase that describes this in a much better way than the English language, komorebi. Komorebi means “sunlight filtering through trees”, and describes visible rays of light through mist or rain, as seen in woodland or forested areas. Trees remind me of home in Alabama. I love walking in the woods, the stillness and sounds of nature are comforting and give moments of reflection–a time to connect with where I’ve come from, where I am, and where I’m going.

“Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures are patches of Godlight in the woods of our experience.” – C.S. Lewis

Light in Ministry

   I grew up going on mission trips to Gallup, New Mexico with my family and church  to serve on the Navajo Nation. We would do a Vacation Bible School for a week during the summer. I was 10 years old the first trip and never thought that at 22 years old, I, along with my twin sister, would be moving to serve full time close to the area we grew up going to. I loved being with the kids and teaching them Bible stories like Noah’s Ark, Daniel, Esther, Jesus’ miracles. For some, it was their first time hearing it. Crafts, songs, games, and serving them a meal would bring them joy. Even if we just showed up with nothing, being there and showing them our light, was such a joy for us, as well. The moments of them running towards us for Kids’ Night, picking them up for church, and taking them on outings will always be my fondest memories.

We lived in a place where it wasn’t uncommon for a family to go without electricity, running water, or even food on the table. We had to shoo the dogs out of our little one room church building before service on Sundays. It was this time of year, when their needs would shift to gathering enough wood to heat homes in the winter because most used a wood burning stove (yes, it would get so cold and snow sometimes late October). The need there was overwhelming and many came to us for help. Sometimes it didn’t feel like much, what we were doing. But we learned that in that dark place, His light was shining bright. And we were grateful to be just a small part of that.

Light in Motherhood

The idea of “Little Light of Mine” came to mind over a week ago in thinking about the sunlight through trees. HE knows our needs. As I started to write it out and think about this post more, it became very fitting for this week. I became overwhelmed with the clutter and chaos of the house. I was reminded of these verses:

• Ephesians 4:2 “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another.”
• John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

While I am still navigating motherhood one day at a time, my body is still healing, and my baby’s personality is starting to shine through. He watches our every step and loves to laugh. When he was just weeks old, I would sing him “This Little Light of Mine” and sometimes he’d do a little woo after. I remember singing it at church growing up and now I want to shine my light for him. Embrace what we cannot control and always choose time for your creativity.

“This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine”