#Light the World

It feels so appropriate to be blogging about #Light the World when what I have truly felt lacking in my life is light - feeling it and sharing it.  The last two days were not much of a stretch for me, but it was great to know I could do it. 


Yesterday's prompt was, "Give blood today.  Not able to donate?  Text alt for another idea."  The next prompt was, "Donate items to your local secondhand store or charity or give them to someone in need."  I briefly wondered if that prompt was sent personally for me because somehow "they" saw the disarray in my "deep."  But when Misty called and we were talking, she said her alternative was the same, so I was relieved it wasn't personal 😀.  I planned to go down and sort through items, but the installer for our shower was here all afternoon and I didn't feel like I could be going up and down all day.  (Or at least that's what I told myself).  However, I already had some items in the back of my car, so when Gary got home we went and dropped them off.  Here's a photo to prove it!

Today's prompt was to "Eat lunch with someone new at school or work."  Well, I'm not in school or at work, but I had been invited to a luncheon by a friend, so I knew I would be sitting with people I didn't know well.  As it turned out, I was sitting by ladies I had never met before.  And they were delightful, and they were full of light.   One was a beautiful woman of 50 who was there with her daughter.  As I talked with her, I found that her husband had died in a plane crash 7 years ago, and she was left a widow with 5 children.  Her daughter that was with her had just gotten married a year before, and it was sweet to watch her with her daughter and to observe their relationship.  When we left, we shared a hug, and I learned a lot from her about how to reach out to people and relate to them.

At 6 am yesterday

morning, I was feeling pretty motivated.  At 2 pm today, not so much.  I did a good share of my decorating before I left, and Natalie and Trent did the tree and the Sunroom for us while we were gone.  I'm very grateful for that, as today as I'm trying to finish it up, I'm definitely dragging.  And also feeling an increased desire to simplify.

Last Christmas Gary gave me a certificate for a cruise.  We've never done one, and it is something we've wanted to do.  I was a little concerned, as Gary had bought it from a phone call solicitation (and he has been known to buy into some interesting infomercials before).  I "secretly" hoped it was legitimate.  And it mostly was! 

However, because of the horrible hurricanes in the Bahamas this year, the particular cruise line he bought from was not operating that cruise right now.  They would still give us meal vouchers, car rental, and the motel accommodations in Ft. Lauderdale for the whole time.  Or we could reschedule.  Rescheduling would have been tricky since we already had our plane tickets, and finding another time would be hard with him back teaching full time.

So we went. And in retrospect, I think we probably enjoyed it more than we would have a cruise.  He had upgraded us to a nicer hotel that was right on a beautiful beach.  We ate most of our meals right there in the Tiki Hut on the beach with our meal vouchers and took day trips on the waterways and in our car.  And, at night in the motel, we even watched several new Hallmark Christmas movies.  (I'm not sure I should be proud to admit that).

Yesterday, began the "Light the World" campaign by the Church.  Each day in December they suggest one small act of service to make the world a brighter place, and you can even sign up to get text prompts to remind you.  Yesterday, it was to tell someone that sent you a text what you value about them. 

It is amazing what taking just one moment to express appreciation can do to make gratitude swell in your own heart.  Before bed I sent Gary a text expressing this simple message.  "Just wanted to say how blessed I feel to have you as my partner in life and in eternity.  It is wonderful to have someone I can be at my worst with and know that you still love me.  I've loved having this time alone with you."

I always feel that, but often times don't take time to express it. 

Today the prompt was to use the #LightTheWorld and share on social media about someone who gives Christlike service.  Wow, there are so many who do that.  And it is not the big grand gestures that I marvel at.  It is the every day gestures of helpfulness that usually go unnoticed or unheralded.  It is people that do hard things day after day with a good attitude.

As I was thinking about that, I got an email from Charlene with a link to watch a segment on the news.  It is an interview with by brother-in-law, Greg.  He was a firefighter for 30 years, and is part of a group to give support to first responders who feel "The Weight of the Call."  I so appreciate Greg and all those whose jobs are to help us in our worst moments and who do it with strength and compassion.   Thank you!

#LightTheWorld 
https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/abc4-news-shines-light-on-the-weight-of-the-call/