beWARM

The Christmas lights are up at Enza’s house. This was a wise move on the part of our daughter Kristy and her husband Leif, as they are expecting a baby boy to arrive in the next few weeks. New babies don’t allow much time for light stringing.

Our granddaughter Enza, age 3 1/2, was overjoyed to see the twinkling lights, and exclaimed with joy, “Now Santa can find our house!”

Having a grandchild has done wonders for my view of the world. Seeing things through Enza’s innocent eyes, all fresh and new and exciting, has awakened the child in me that I had tucked away somewhere.

Here I am, so amused about these lights. Years ago I would get annoyed when Christmas decorations started to appear, even before the last slice of turkey had been carved.

You know, there was always that one house in the neighborhood that took great pleasure in flipping that switch soon after Thanksgiving, wanting to be the first to welcome in the season – and have one up on the rest of us.

Part of my displeasure stemmed from feeling the mounting  pressure of all the holiday responsibilities. Was I ever going to be able to get everything done – and not still be out shopping two days before Christmas? And how dare they be so organized?

I have since relaxed my standards – and my expectations – about the holidays. I have tried desperately not to get sucked into the wild frenzy of trying to achieve seasonal perfection.

Concentrating on enjoying people has preempted visions of decorations worthy of magazine pages. (I can still enjoy the holidays, even if I don’t pass Martha Stewart’s muster.)

But back to Enza’s lights (which I heartily endorse).

Each of us has a few strings of lights within – those  sunny spots that, when shared, can elicit a smile or brighten a gloomy day. Do we have them readily available, or are they boxed up inside?

We should use them as often as we can… so every day could feel like a holiday. Who needs a special occasion to bring out the best in others?

Think of figuratively flipping the switch on those lights, just when someone needs their spirits lifted. You might just make all the difference in the world to them.

And as an added bonus, the act of doing something nice for someone else is good for the soul.

So…where are you storing your inner lights? And where might you use them if you had the chance? Would you turn them on with a kind word, a special favor  – or even a hug?

If you have hidden them away, seek them out. Dust them off. Get reacquainted with their many uses.

Locate that extension cord, and connect that plug. Use those megawatts to beam out your smile. Light up your house with laughter.

Why?

Not so God will find you. He already knows where you are.

Do it so others will find Him in you…