Ordinary Time

Pause

Salt. Light. A wooden cross. A trembling voice. An untied rope. A song of praise.

These are humble signs of God's initiative in our world.

Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see.

Listen

“You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

Think

Being a mom is one of my greatest joys. Nothing I have done as a writer, professor, or musician has allowed me to experience life’s proverbial ups and downs with such clarity, because parenting young children often involves both the ups and the downs all at once.

Learning to abandon perfectionism has been an essential lesson for me as a mom and is also one that applies to how I see myself in relation to Jesus’ reminder that we are all “the light of the world.” Perfectionism would have me hide my light until it is perfect enough to share. But Jesus does not endorse this preventative behavior. Instead he encourages us to let our “light shine before people” without hesitation. Dwelling on the details can keep our lights from others and, in turn, will keep praise from God in heaven.

So let us embrace our next “less-than-perfect” moment for what God may intend it to be: a chance to abandon our baskets for lampstands.

Sarah H. Boatwright

Pray

Thank you, Lord, for every opportunity you give me to share the light with my family, friends, and neighbors. Please forgive me when I fail to do so and help me to try again. Amen.

Go

Our highest activity must be response, not initiative.

C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain (1940)

What is your response to God today?