Shine On
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 (NIV)
What do others see in us? There are times when we can’t see it ourselves, but others see something. “You have a sweet spirit.” Those were the words uttered to me from a complete stranger in the frozen food section of one of our local grocery stores. I did the only thing I knew to do; I pointed heavenward and said, “Thank you!” Karen Sargent (Mornings with Jesus) shares a similar story about her daughter.
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Early in her first trimester, while her pregnancy was still a secret, my daughter Kelli called to tell me she had received the best compliment of her life. An elderly woman sitting at a table in a coffee shop told her, “You’re absolutely glowing.” Kelli smiled and shared her secret with the perceptive stranger, who quickly responded, “Oh no, honey. You’re glowing with the love of Jesus.” What a compliment indeed!
I try to imagine what woman might have observed in Kelli that allowed her to see Jesus. Perhaps as the woman entered the coffee shop, Kelli held the door and let her go first. While standing in line, maybe Kelli struck up a conversation with someone behind her. As she placed her order, she probably used “please” and “thank you” and put money in the tip jar. Looking for a table, I can see her smiling and making eye contact with people she didn’t know.
Kelli didn’t walk into the shop with a Jesus girl T-shirt, Christian tattoos, a Bible, or other visible signs of her beliefs. Yet a stranger saw the love of Jesus in her. As her mom, that is the best compliment of my life too.
FAITH STEP: Wherever your day takes you, look for Jesus in someone. Make it a point to stop and tell them so.
Father God, thank You for shining Your light upon us! Help us to sparkle for You and not take the glory. Without You, we are just unlit candles. Please give us that inner joy and strength to continually praise Your name. AMEN.