Candle In The Dark

"You are the light of the world," Jesus said.

This is the Kingdom people. They will shine. Even though it's a tiny light. It shines...

Because the world is so dark, so indifferent. A little light sparkles a huge difference. People needs a smile, a touch, an example, to convince themselves there are still somethings bright and beautiful in a darkened life.

Because we were removed out of darkness into light. We are the children of light. We naturally shine. We now can do the good works from a good heart prepared by a good and mighty God.

My African brother, Kizito Gaston, a godly father and wonderful man, had struggled to clean up the garbage mess that morning. That was a rainy morning, early, cold morning. He went to take care of his own garbage, but found his neighbour's garbage was a mess, and spilled out all over the backyard. He was about to leave, but God told me to do something about it. My brother struggled as all of us would. "This is not mine!" But God insisted. And he obeyed. So he went back. Wore gloves. Brought a plastic bag. Piece by piece. Bit by bit. He gathered. He picked up. Imagine the stained & filthy stuff. He put them in the bag, tied it, and placed it there nicely, all under the rain. No one supposes to see, except the eyes in heaven.

But that morning, 2 pairs of eyes on earth have captured it. His neighbour - garbage owner couple. My friend had been longing to establish relationship with the couple. But they were not very responsive. That morning, an hour after Gaston's good work, this couple came and knocked his door. They told him that they saw all the things he did in the morning. They asked him, "Did you know it was our garbage?" "Yes" "Then why did you do that?" "Because you are my brother..." That Philippine couple were touched. That day, hearts warmed and doors open. That day, a candle shone and gave hope.

Life is wonderful with our Lord. The life from Him is so wonderful. We are so imperfect, yet we have a perfect God to look up to. Isn't it beautiful? He makes us beautiful. He makes us shine. Shine in the dark...

Aden had a parent conference days ago with Joshua's teacher, Mrs. Baxter. She loves our boys. One thing she asked my wife, "Joshua told me John John goes to your house every week."

John John is Joshua' classmate, a new immigrant from China, a boy with autism. Maybe because it takes time to accept the reality with his boy. Maybe because the heavy duties of taking care her son. Maybe simply of too much worries and tiredness, John's Mom was all the time sad and troubled. Anyone can see it. Her son's teacher can see it as well. When Aden replied "Yes it is," Mrs. Baxter was relieved and thankful. She said, "I was so worry about her."

It doesn't take much skills to see a person in need. But it takes some love to act on what we see. We don't have much love, but God has. We invited them to our house. Aden took a leisure walk with her in Steveston. We suggested she could leave her son in our house Saturday morning, so that she could have one or two hours free time. And John John came almost every Saturday.

I don't say my sons enjoy it totally. But they know there is a time to help. There is a time to walk an extra mile. There is a time to show some kindness. They are learning. I am learning. It's getting better and better. John John loves to come.

Does it mean that we have no other things to do? We have tons as all of us do. Does it mean that we have so much energy? We are so worn out by our boys all the time. But I think when you get closer to Jesus, it's easier to give a bit more, to love a bit more, to do a little bit more. His life, his love, just flows to us and floats us and carries us. We can do good. We should do good. For the good sake of goodness.

Recently we manage to enter some houses and bring blessings. Doors open to us. They are non-believers. One of them is a Taiwan family. Their sons are Caleb and Philip's classmates. They were also not very responsive. But recently they changed. so we were in their house. And Aden gave witness to the Mom. She told Aden, "Your family has a lot of love to other people." We are so ashamed to take this compliment.

We think what we did is nothing. We don't even think much. Yes everyday we do walk a Korean neighbour boy to school and back from school to his house - his Mom has another 2 small kids to take care at home. Occasionally, we have to take another boy, from India, to our home for an hour after school, because his Mom was still tied up with her work somewhere. So in the eyes of all other parents in school, we are a strange family. Seems that 3 are not enough, now we have a Korean boy, an Indian boy, to form a parade with Aden. With this and that, with things that we don't even count, the world is watching. They are wondering, "Why do they do that?"

I could only give praise to my dear God, my Lord. It is His life. His life is so rich, so beautiful, so wonderful. While He told us to walk an extra mile with others, Jesus himself walked many many miles for us.

Lately, my sons always hummed this song: "I never know how much it cost. To see my sins upon that cross." Jesus walked a great distance, so great and so tough that none comprehended. But he walked alone, while we alone benefited. Now He asked us to walk one more mile for others, show some kindness, love a little more... If we can just tap into this great resources of love and mercy, doing good will come easily, purely and willingly.

Shine your light. The world is so dark. People around needs love. Just shine your light. Do good. And bring glory to your Father in heaven (Mat.5:16).

Thank you, Father for this privilege to shine for you.