Candles On My Table: Heart check:

Candles on My Table

As our family gathers around the Christmas table each year, there is a crystal candlestick for each family member....each unique....each with its own charm and character....each casting light far beyond the table.

Each candlestick has been etched and shaped by the heat and skill of its craftsman. Likewise, each member of our family has been intricately designed and fashioned by the intentional hand and heart of our Creator. Each life gives off a glow that illuminates our world. Each glow magnifies facets in the prisms of each other as it shines.

As each of our children has chosen a spouse, and as each new life has grown our circle, the collection of crystal candlesticks grows, the glow expands, and more of the world is brightened. The light we each offer is unique. The combined glow of our family is one.

Matthew 5:15 says: "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl, Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone..." We trust God to take our lights (both individually and as a family) and let them be as vs. 14 says: ...a light of the world. As a city on a hill can not be hidden, may our family's light not be hidden.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Heart check:

The routine flight instructions that I have heard time after time:

"Put the air mask on yourself before you help someone else."

"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?........Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2: 1, 3-5 (NLT)

I am reminded of the importance to keep check on my own heart

before I 'try to help (fix)" those around me.

Candles On My Table