Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Selfishness (02/14/05)
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TITLE: This Little Light of Mine | Previous Challenge Entry
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02/19/05 -
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The song tells the fundamental story of how in all that we do, we are to give glory to God. We are instructed to unselfishly share ourselves with others in such a way that they may learn from us. We are not to hide what God had given us under a basket. No, we are to let it shine through each of us.
Several years ago my husband and I were active in a program that ministered to children who had lost a parent through death or divorce. Essentially, each child was gently guided through the grief process, during a weekend retreat at a church camp on the Gulf of Mexico.
Inspirational talks were given by team members that were comprised mostly of teenagers. Each teen selflessly shared his or her own heartaches, disappointments and trials in the loss of their parent.
On the last evening of the program, each child was asked to write down their own painful experiences on a piece of paper, that was symbolically tossed into a roaring bon fire later that evening. Then they were led to the water's edge and given a candle to light, that had been placed in a small milk carton, to enable it to float. The counselors assisted the children in releasing each candle into the water, on the outgoing tide. As each glowing carton drifted away from the shore into the deeper water, the children were told of how this signifies how God’s removes all of all our tears and pain when we give it to Him.
Throughout this exercise, the song "This little light of mine,” was sung by all. What an extraordinary experience this was.
The team members bravely shared the pain and disappointment they had gone through and little lives were changed because of their choice to relinquish selfishness. If anyone had chosen to metephorically put their light under a basket, never would their light have shown forth to encourage others to move from their pain to the promises of the future.
My daughter, Stephanie, was one of the teen staff members in this program. She was a beautiful sixteen-year-old at the time, who agreed to give the talk entitled “Trusting God.” I will never forget my amazement when her hand flew up during one of the planning meetings to prepare for the weekend retreat. She was the last people I ever expected who would agree to give any talk. Her presentation, though, was so insightfully wise, yet overflowing in childlike faith in God her Father.
Little did I know that in just a few short years she would be called home to let her light shine in heaven. At her funeral service, after the eulogy, someone in attendance, who knew the impact she had on so many peoples lives, began softly singing the words, “This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.” Gradually the entire church began to join in one by one. Louder and louder the singing intensified as some even began harmonizing to the melody. Subtle smiles began to spread across faces that had previously been filled with teardrops of sorrow.
Giving always counteracts selfishness, as I learned from this precious child’s song. Each time I hear it I stop and think of Steph as I remember her gift of selflessness. “Let it shine . . . let it shine . . . let it shine!”
TS
2-18-05
(Selfishness)
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