This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...

This little light of mine, i'm gonna let it shine....

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, NO!  I'm gonna let it shine...

Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm gonna let it shine...

Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm gonna let it shine...

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine...

Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine...

Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine...

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine...

Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine...

Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine...

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

As I drove the boys to school just now, with this sweet song pumping out the speakers in our Tahoe, the last verse struck my heart.  

Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine.

Today, I'm taking my little Asher to the local Children's Hospital.  He is still having back pain and while not debilitating, it's an unusual enough complaint that the Doctors are taking his case seriously.  So, at 11:30 this morning my 4 year old will have an injection, then we will wait for three hours, followed by a back scan with their radiologists.  Asher has his backpack of toys all ready to go, and the Ronald McDonald House boasts a full service McDonalds for us to have a "date" while we wait for the scan.  

But what is weighing heavier on my heart than my guy's day, is the day that all the other patients around us will be having.  Children who have been in and out of hospitals their entire lives, coming back for a follow-up scan; children who look different, but are no different from mine; children who light up at a smile;  children who delight in a compliment over the jeweled hub-caps on their pretty little wheelchair.  It is my heart's desire that Asher and I will be a light in the dark times of children all around us.  

I know another little person who is spending all day at a hospital today. Liz is on her 11th day in a row.  I can't light up her day today, but I can love the unfamiliar children in my midst in her stead.  

It reminds me of the verse when Jesus tells us that whatever we do for the least of these, we do as unto Him.  

Where are you going today?  What are you doing?  Into what dark recesses and lives can your light shine?  Commit this day to shining.  Don't let Satan blow it out.  How our adversary would love to render you useless today.  But God has a plan for you where ever you are.  Whatever your circumstances.  

SHINE.

Shine.

shine