No Matter What..Leave Your God Light On

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:16

Do you remember the slogan for Motel 6?
And We'll Leave The Light On.
I got to thinking...not a bad idea for Christians.

I know at this moment in my life it may appear I am fighting against flesh and since we live in the flesh I know this is true but I know the bigger battle is a spiritual war and I praise God that he is on my side. By saying that doesn't mean it's not painful and not a struggle but it does mean I have someone bigger than this world to love me and to keep me surrounded, protected and in the center of His wings.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings Psalm 17:8

I love this verse, it brings me comfort to know I am the apple of God's eye and He forever has His arms around me not matter what. I love knowing how much God loves me and wants to protect me. It is the ultimate of unconditional love. (that's a whole nother ponder :)

OK back to my point

I know in both situations, I am in the midst of a spiritual war and what may effect myself and my family could also effect those watching from afar.
Maybe how I handle my situations could determine someones desire to draw close to God or even their salvation.

I didn't really consider this until the other day, a internet friend I have had for a number of years reconnected with me on Facebook, she told me of some hardships going on in her life but she told me some fantastic news, she had made the decision to give her heart and life to God. Then she shared something that touched me more than you can imagine and made me realize how important it is no matter the situation to always allow others to see how we as Christians handle situations and where we draw are strength,

(I'm sure she will not mind me sharing) she said,
I completely agree that with out Jesus in my life right now I would not even be able to get out of bed each day and face what is in front of me....believe it or not Patty I think you may have had a lot to do with my decision to turn my life over to God...when I saw how strong it made you after Justins death and how you made it thru I knew that it was the only way I could handle just the petty things in my life.

Wow....Can you see how this could have easily went the other direction? How I acted or reacted, what I did or didn't say could have could have caused this dear friend to say, She calls herself a Christian but in the midst of her trials her actions are those of the world, where is this God she talks about, why is He not giving her the strength and comfort she desperately needs and if He is what she says He is why is she not leaning and depending on Him?

I thanked God when I read this that I have been able to stay humble through hardships and I thanked him for controlling my thoughts and fingers as they have typed my words of despair.
I know in my heart my sharing of my life is a way towards healing for myself and hopefully an encouragement to those who are on my path but I pray that I am ever mindfully of the effect it will have on others.

this little light of mine....I'm gonna let it shine....