Shine on!
by Elouise
Do you remember this old song? It went on forever.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! ….
Shine all over the neighborhood; I’m gonna let it shine! ….
Shine all over the whole wide world; I’m gonna let it shine! ….
Don’t let Satan blow it out; I’m gonna let it shine! ….
Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes; I’m gonna let it shine! ….
Here, brother
Here, sister
Here’s a little light
Just for you
From me
Who are you?
What do you want?
Did I ask for your help?
Why should I trust you?
Why are you doing this?
Why indeed.
Our little childhood song made it all sound easy. Just shine your little light, Elouise! Small deeds of kindness and compassion. That’s all it takes. Just get out there with your little light and Shine On. Make a difference!
I laugh now—though it isn’t funny at all. In seminary we regularly reminded each other that we weren’t put on this earth as little messiahs. As though we’re sent to make all things new or solve every problem and climb every mountain.
No, we’re mere human beings. Quite wonderful, actually. Just like everyone else. Needy, limited, proud, hungry, beautiful, happy, angry, outraged, duped, out of touch and in denial. Plus a whole lot more.
I’m not against shining our little lights. In fact, I believe it’s the only way we can together make a difference. But there’s the rub.
What does ‘together’ mean? My little childhood song was heavy on each of us doing his or her thing. This usually meant obeying our parents, being nice to people who didn’t treat us nicely, and being sure to tell people about Jesus.
The song also seemed to suggest I should already know what to do when, and would be able to carry it out. Well…not only do I not know what’s best for other people, I often freeze in my boots when it comes to actually doing something.
Hence the need for togetherness. The kind many have experienced in successful 12-step programs. This means meeting regularly with like-minded people, radical surrender to a higher power, and unblinking willingness to face our shortcomings and failures and try again.
No miracles guaranteed. But I’m a witness to the power this way of life has to bring people together. Especially those of us who’ve tried to go it alone and failed, or who live in fear that we’ll be exposed for the failures we believe we are.
Why shine on? Because it lets someone know that you’re there for them, if only for a moment. It also acknowledges your need for others in your life. Not as decorations, but as welcome travel companions—if only for a moment.
That’s what today’s word brought to my mind. That, and the ways you shine in my life.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 10 January 2017
Image from pinterest.com
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Shine
We all need to shine on.
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😊
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Thanks for your little light.
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You’re welcome 😊
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I love your little light Elouise, although I often think it’s larger than you think😊🌟 kindness and love and the sense of togetherness is in our core, some go years searching for it, some just have this glow about them when you talk to them, drawing you in. It’s always good of course not to get burned but I think the lessons we learn enables us to go forward, believing in something beyond our mere selves, hearing he voice beckoning us to humble goodness😊🙏🏻
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Wouldn’t it be nice if the (burnout) lessons weren’t quite so overwhelming? I always want to get to the good stuff–without delay! 😊🎆🌈💐🎵💕🍓🍓🍓🍓😊
You’re so right about humbly being part of something ‘beyond our mere selves.’ Which goes against the grain of trying to be more than we’re meant to be.💜
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Yes, without delay, chop chop is what I say…but alas, life is life….we pull ourselves up and forge on 🙂 Peace and love, love the emojis, made me smile. Happy Tuesday E & L ❤
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Shine on!
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You too! 😎
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Along with ‘Jesus loves me, this I know….’ one of our childhood favourites, but without any mention of Satan or any of his ilk, thank God.
The Course in Miracles reminds us repeatedly, that in Ultimate Reality, we receive when we share, or give away what we have. Togetherness is not something we strive for, but is our default, in that we are all singular, but our singularity masks our total interdependence on all Life and in all of Everything. Our electricity, our animus, has no boundaries, come to think of it.
Such a lovely post. Thank you.
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You’re welcome, Fran! I could have done without that ‘Don’t let Satan blow it out’ line. I don’t think we gain anything when we focus on Satan or on evil (though it exists). In my memory, the hand motions and liveliness of the song were reason enough to enjoy it! That line about Satan included blowing on an upheld finger (instead of actually singing the word ‘blow’). Innocence of childhood…. 🙂
Interdependence, yes! A wonderful discipline for life–recovering our awareness and commitment thereto.
Elouise
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