This Little Light of Mine

At six in the morning most of the people I meet are trying to get to work. Most of them have a regular coffee that is part of their morning routine. Some are morning people and some not. Some don’t want to talk, some come just to talk.

Overworked, busy, hurried and sometimes troubled faces light up for just a moment when they receive their drink. For just a moment the kid inside them pokes out of the serious “adult” bubble and smiles genuinely. That first sip brings a moment of relief and rest.

Customers show up with delight in their eyes this time of year.  Maybe a hint of mischief… like they are up to something. And they are.

“Can you add the next order to mine please? I’d like to buy their coffee!”

“Of course. How fun!”

“It really is…but don’t say who I am… just say Merry Christmas!”

And they take their drink and whisper “thanks” like the car behind them can hear. Mischief sparkles and they nearly sneak away.

One regular customer has done this at least three days in a row. There is visible light behind her eyes and smile. For just a second she delights in the game.

I like the game too…what a privilege to bless someone in such a simple way. I am pretty sure my part is the most fun.

“Your coffee was paid for…they said to tell you Merry Christmas!”

Immediately the customer will look ahead of them to see if they can tell who it was in the car. The woman I told this to today was visibly surprised. She actually jumped in her seat.

“Who was it?”

“I don’t know, they just wanted to treat you today!”

“Oh my gosh, really? I mean… like. Really? Why?”

“To share the season with someone maybe? It sure makes you feel good doesn’t it?”

“I mean. Wow. That is so amazing. Thank you so so much. Really. That’s just. Wow.”

Delight.

And I am so filled with the joy of sharing that kind of surprise with her that I tear up. (Which I do quite often these days, but life is too short to not experience it all) I breathe in pure joy, feel it swell and rest.

This is the thing that makes this time of year so much fun. It’s contagious…I’ve seen strings of “pay it forward” a dozen cars long. It’s fun! and shouldn’t sharing joy be fun?

This twinkle of light. Compassion and love.

Can you see it? Are you looking?

The season where lots of good is happening…lights that shine and twinkle. We notice. Smile. Reflect the light.

And there is so much light to reflect. The negative people from a month ago have all but disappeared from social media. Replaced with scripture photos, cute kids and christmas cookies. There of course are plenty of negative comments but they seem a little less prominent.

There is delight running through the seams of the photos and memes. Have you seen it? Can you spot the joy? Share it?

As I was sitting here trying to get my thoughts in order, a little girl about four years old started re-arranging the chairs to throw a tea party for her doll and her mom. Her eyes sparkled and she talked to herself about where everything ought to go. She set it all up and stood back to examine her work. She must have decided it looked good because she beamed from ear to ear, then she grabbed her mom’s sleeve and pointed. The first thing she wanted to do was share her accomplishment. She was so proud.

Her mom was surprised too! She didn’t scold, but she quickly started to put the chairs back.

An employee spoke up, “Its okay, there isn’t anyone else here right now. She’s having fun. Let her play”

Her mama hesitated for just a moment then smiled thankfully and sat back down with her coffee. Watching unhindered delight in her daughter; enjoying the moment.

Oh, these soft emotions that get lost in the harshness of life. They sprinkle the days like snow and melt away after the holiday season. Maybe I should collect those soft bits of delight and form a snowball to save; like my son did last week?

“Look Mom! Snow! Can I put it in the freezer to remember?”

Can I collect and preserve the delight and purity of kind-hearted mischief all year? Take a little bit out and share it when it’s not expected? Be brave enough to be the only “Christmas light” sparkling in June?

Once you start looking for the spark of joy…you will see it everywhere.

Remember when you would lose something and ask your mom to find it? She seemed to see it before even entering the room. She knew what she was looking for.

Delight in the Lord—Train the eyes to see the Grace, rest in the peace that is offered. And it takes discipline. Stopping in the midst of everything; finding your pause…and looking for joy.

I was taking a pictures of a Christmas display at a gift shop, when a customer walked in.

“What are you taking pictures of?” he asked.

“Oh, lights. For my blog.”

“Do you need a picture of a guy named Dave too? I’m just kidding. I’m a truck driver and I like coming in here when I’m in the area, its a nice store. Something about it. Well, good luck”

He wandered off to look, smiling as each display and little bit of Christmas magic lit his interest.

…just for a second I could see the wonder light on his face too. Even in a 6’ 3” truck driver.

Little bits of delight. Little bits of wonder. God’s fingerprints. Joy.

And I hear friend, your heart is broken in this season…just trying to make it to January. I hear you…and I wish that we were sharing a moment over coffee so I could give you a hug; shared strength. So we could reminisce and let tears run and share joy and sorrow and love.

Even the quiet loneliness there can be joy.

Even the moments that ache. The moments that just don’t sit right. The dimming of the light you see.

Friend, even here…God brings delight even here. In these moments where ache veils joy?Prayer softens pain. Memory brightens. Experience brings healing tears. The One who creates a place with no tears understands the pain of deep sorrow.

In the ache of missing…comes the swelling memory of loving well.

A tender hug from a loving Heavenly Father soothes the ache, wipes a tear. We need only ask.

Even in this—a light of compassion.

Delight.

So much depth, richness, complexity to this time of year. And we are the same people in March as we are now, but something calls out the good in us. Calls out the extra kindness.

Calls out our so often hidden desire to bless and delight others. What if this year we don’t pack up all the light when we put away our decorations? When we put the ornaments back in the boxes, and pack away the stockings…leave out the lights. Choose to be a light and reflect the light to others. Live in the delight of the moment to share joy?

Let the child-like wonder escape a little more often. Re-arrange the chairs. Plan a little mischief, buy someone a coffee…be delighted and blessed!