The Lantern

On our sailboat, we have a lantern that we use when we are away from the dock; it is incredible how a single light can illuminate a dark space at night. As Christians, we are called to be that light, one to another, in this world. We too, are ‘lanterns’, even when we feel our flame may not be enough. Light, bright or dim, invades the darkness. Light changes everything.

The Danish concept of hygge, is so popular as a way of life. The Scandinavian countries do celebrate ‘light’; long, dark winters are eased considerably with simple comforts: candles, cozy blankets, warm, nourishing meals, and home decor that accentuates the beauty of the outdoors brought to the interior of the home. A fire burning in the fireplace, and a stash of pine cones set out on a table with greenery, creates a mood that is calming, peaceful.

Just as our lantern ‘lights up’ the interior of our boat, so do we also, ‘light up’ each other’s lives with messages of hope, gifts of inspiration, and simple ‘hugs’ to help someone else feel better. We never know how much our words of encouragement mean to a person when they are discouraged.

We are called to bear one another’s burdens. We are called to be the salt of the earth. Most importantly, we are called to love one another as God has first loved us.

There is no language more beautiful than love. It is the language our heavenly Father has taught us to speak. And it is a language we become more fluent with, the more we use it.

Yes, the lantern of love we carry to the world is a beautiful thing. May we reflect that light and love as it burns soft and radiant in our souls. May it touch all the dark places where it is needed most; there are broken hearts that need mending, bruised egos that need tending, and even battered places deep within ourselves that desperately cry out for healing.

On Valentines Day, we think of love, the universal language, the language of the heart, which can be spoken with or without words. Hopefully, it is on our lips this day, and always the meditation of our hearts poured out upon the world. Our heavenly Father has lavished us with love and his light has overcome the darkness of this world. May we never hesitate to pass that love and light even if it seems only to flicker at times. The light of our lanterns illuminates all that we encounter; every spark counts; every smile, every kind word, makes a difference.