Shine a Light

Welcome to Day 29 of the series Speak Praise as part of the Write 31 Days challenge.

We guided her, blindfolded, up the walkway leading to where her little friends had hidden themselves awaiting her arrival. I held her small hand and steadied her, counting, “1...2...3...” and removed the handkerchief from her eyes.

Friends jumped from their hiding places to shout, “Surprise!!!”

She couldn't have been more full of joy than at that moment! Bashfully she blushed behind the drape of my sweater, biting back shyness to receive the love. Giggles erupted from down in her chest as her friends swarmed around her with hugs and wishes for a happy birthday.

We celebrated as we always should celebrate the gift of a life. With fun, friends, balloons, a pinata, presents, and of course cake! She stood at the edge of the table eyeing the sweet pink swirls of frosting as sweet as the life she lives. Candles lit atop the cake representing five years she has been the light of our lives.

The Gift of Hope

“...because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness...to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

-- Luke 1:78-79

The morning greeted me with splendor. While the world was still dark, I made my way tired and blinky eyed to the living room. I sat down in my favorite chair beside a dimly lit side table lamp with a blanket and devotional in hand.

A glimmering pink glow peeked through the blinds in the front window, compelling me to open them.

A rosy hued sunrise emerged from behind grey clouds blanketing the morning sky. Small patches of blue broke through where golden strands of light lined the clouds.

As I sat in wonder at the beautiful tapestry that unfolded before me, I heard as if it were expressed in a greeting card, “Happy birthday, dear one.”

Pink is the color of icing on a birthday cake. It is the rose given in affection. Pink is the color of hope.

I felt it warmly in my soul, this blushing golden sunrise was a gift for me this morning from a God who is so personal in his adoration that he would color the sky for me with a message of hope.

“Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven...Cling to hope, and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness” (Jesus Calling, Sarah Young).

Beyond the shadows and the dark, the sun shines brightly on a new day and a new year. Perspective is everything.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Romans 15:13