November 8 - Light

Today is an amazing weather day where I live.  I love wearing my fall clothes and am enjoying the brisk air.  Yet, when I turn on the news, I watch one of the largest storms on record crashing into the Philippines. The people there would welcome one of Texas' scorching hot days right now.

There are many moments in our lives, when we find ourselves basking in the light while another faces severe hardship. Why is this so? Hard work, perseverance, tenacity, all of these contribute to a better quality of life, but the bottom line always falls to God's Grace. But for His Grace, I would be living in the Philippines and not Texas. But for His Grace, the cool may have never arrived, and we would still be enduring our 3-year drought.  But for His Grace, my home could fall apart and I find myself on the streets. The list could go on forever.

We must give God thanks for His gift of light, and hold on to Him during the times of darkness. The storm will pass in the Philippines, but it will be a long, hard journey for all who live there. Our prayer is that God has prepared them in mind, body and spirit to face their journey and that He will hold them in His mercy through the storm and beyond. 

Whenever we are in the light, let us use this time to give thanks. Let us praise God's Name and the works of His hands. Call on Him to enrich our hearts; build our strength; and instill Grace, tenacity and perseverance within our spirits. For there will be days of darkness and we will need the strength of Faith. And we hope that when it is our time to search and struggle, that all children of God whose moments rest in the light will be praying for us and sharing their gift of Faith and Hope.


For you were once darkness, but now you are light of the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. - Ephesians 5:8-9