Shining Light

I attended a memorial service yesterday for a woman I have known for over 20 years. She was a mentor to hundreds of women through the years. She was also a tremendous cook and gardener, among other things. She brought me most of the starts to my herb garden at my last house. She herself had been through abuse, addiction, multiple marriages, and horrendous diseases and circumstances. But she never gave up in her pursuit of joy. A couple of years ago she had been given six weeks to live. But she persevered for two more years with such a loving attitude determined to serve through the number of her days.

On Monday several people visited her hospital room where she had already lapsed into a coma. They surrounded her in love as she had each one of them. With a room full of friends and family she suddenly awoke to ask what they were all doing there. She told them all that God was much bigger than we could imagine and the Light was amazing. That very witness increased the faith of many who needed it. The beautiful report she delivered was an astounding punch of encouragement for those that were in the room and all who heard about it later. Many left her room, thinking she was rallying. Just an hour later she passed, I believe with great joy, about where she was going. It was her perfect day, her soul leaving the broken body to rejoice with Jesus in person.

I wanted to post this photograph that showed light streaming through the trees along the train route to Silverton. My friends in Colorado call these 'God rays'. That streaming light shines on and through us. As Isaiah said "Arise and shine, for the Light has come. The Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee!" We are called to be light, Mary Lou let that light shine through her. She knew that she was on earth for God, to serve and love others.

Death does not separate us from the Love of Christ. And as our capacity for love through relationship with Christ increases, so does the light that shines in us for others.

Mary Lou, my blessing for you:

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18