Brighten The Corner Where You Are

~Published in the Charleston Gazette~ Sunday, May 13, 2012~

I don’t like cloudy days. An occasional one is not so bad, but when we have several in a row, I am quick to grumble and fret about the lack of sunshine! I know we must have rain but when it continues for days and I see nothing but gray skies, I begin to long for sunlight.

One day recently, while I was complaining about the gloomy day we were having, a song title popped into my mind. It’s interesting how God works, isn’t it? The name of the tune was Brighten the Corner Where You Are. I learned it in Sunday School when I was a little girl.

It occurred to me that this song is a message of truth for all of us. Even on the cloudiest days, we can brighten our surroundings by being lights of love and caring for others. There are many thoughtful, creative ways we can do this. We can share the love of God in our heart with family and friends. We can comfort them, encourage them and pray with them – and for them. By being the loving, caring people God created us to be, we will brighten our world and the lives of the people around us.

We are all unique individuals with our own skills and abilities. We should try always to bring special light and love to every experience. Through what we think and say and do, we can make a positive difference in this world. In addition, when we interact with people around us in thoughtful, caring ways, that kindness is multiplied, having a ripple effect as it radiates from one heart to another.

A few weeks ago, I received a card from a nice lady who told me she clips all of my Essays on Faith and sends them to a lady she knows who lives on a mountain all alone. She said, “It makes her so happy that I send her things to read.” Then she added: “And it makes me feel good, too. I love doing things for people!” This generous lady has found a way to brighten someone else’s corner of the world, and, in doing so, she, too, has been blessed.

As children of God, we are guided in the choices we make each day by His light of understanding. We instinctively know how to be loving and compassionate toward others. The light of God within us is a constant connection to all the wisdom we will ever need for offering support to our family, friends, and neighbors – and even to strangers.

We may never know all the ways we touch the lives of others, but we can be certain that each time we let the love of God work through us as gentleness and understanding; we give and receive something of value and meaning.

We all like to look good on the outside, but knowing that the beauty of Spirit is within us is essential to brightening the corner where we are.