Light of Home

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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 in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness", made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

Anna pulled her van off the road and parked a few yards from the bridge. She stepped out into the brisk December air, a light breeze ruffled her auburn hair. She quickly walked to a little knoll which allowed her a clear view beneath the bridge – no one was there. She hurried back to her van and popped the rear door and took out 3 blankets and walked to the bridge and set them behind some brush. She returned to the van and pulled out a bag containing some fresh bread from the bakery along with some canned goods and a can opener and some fruit and a container of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

She carried the bag of food and knelt on the ground as she carefully placed it beside the blankets. “Lord”, she said “I don’t know who is using this bridge for shelter but you do. I don’t know their hurts or how they came to have no where to live but you know it all. Use this food to give them strength for another day and use these blankets to keep them warm. Lord, as they are filled and their bodies wrapped in warmth, would you please wrap them up in your love and if there is more you would have me do please let me know. Give me eyes to see what you see. Amen.” A cold gust of wind blew autumn leaves across her lap and she quickly stood as she pulled the collar of her jacket higher around her neck and hurried back to her van.

She turned the key and the engine rumbled to life; she glanced at the dashboard clock, 4:20. She looked over her shoulder to check for traffic and then back toward the bridge as something caught her eye, movement in the brush perhaps? She waited but seeing nothing she checked for traffic once again and then pulled onto the narrow street and headed up the hill, following the winding road toward home.

As she pulled into the driveway, her neighbor, Mrs. Reynolds stood waiting at the edge of the lawn, a baseball clenched in her left hand. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Reynolds”. Anna greeted the scowling neighbor cheerfully. Mrs. Reynolds waited until Anna was within five feet of her and then she stretched out her hand and allowed the baseball to fall to the ground at Anna’s feet as she said in the harshest tone she could muster, “Tell those kids of yours to keep their baseball in their own yard!” She did not give Anna an opportunity to respond as she immediately turned around and marched across her well manicured lawn and disappeared behind neatly trimmed shrubs, leaving Anna standing there the baseball still at her feet.

Unpleasant thoughts paraded through Anna’s mind as she looked at the baseball. She bent to pick it up and was suddenly filled with the desire to throw it as hard as she could; her imagination instantly ran with the idea and in her mind’s eye Anna could clearly see a very shocked Mrs. Reynolds as the baseball sailed through her picture window landing neatly in her knitting basket. “Mom, Toby tore my homework!” The desperate sound of nine year old Becky’s voice brought Anna back to reality and she put the baseball in the planter on the porch and hurried into the house.

11 month old Toby was sitting in Becky’s doorway; his chubby hand clutching a torn piece of paper containing what was left of Becky’s spelling words. His little feet kicked with delight causing him to roll backwards, squealing happily as he tried to stuff the paper in his mouth which is where he tried to put everything he could find these days. “Mommy, make him stop!” Becky wailed. Anna knelt down until she was eyelevel with Becky and she placed her hands on each of Becky’s shoulders as she calmly spoke, “Becky, he’s a baby and doesn’t understand his behavior hurt you. You once acted the same way. Remember, he is watching you and so is little Grace.” They both turned as the 4 year old girl stood timidly peering in the doorway to see what was happening. Anna turned back to Becky and drew the frustrated nine year olds attention back to her as she said, “Becky, I want you to think of what can be done to keep this from happening again and then what to do about your spelling homework.” “But Mom, that’s too hard!” Becky whined with tears spilling down her little red cheeks. Anna rested her forehead against Becky’s as she whispered soft and low, “Talk to Jesus about this, Becky. He will help you.” With that she kissed her daughter’s furrowed brow and stood and scooped up the gurgling Toby and carried him out and closed the door behind her.

Anna deposited Toby in his walker and whizzed him around in a circle as he laughed, filling the entire house with the sound and Anna heard herself laughing too as she wheeled Toby into the kitchen. Emily was making the salad and Aaron was putting the broccoli in the steamer. Anna had put a roast in the crock pot that morning and it filled the room with its savory aroma and Anna realized she was hungry. She put sourdough rolls into the oven and then went to the dining room where Allie was just finishing setting the table. “Very nicely done, Allie,” Anna praised and the eleven year old lit up under the approval of her mother. “Go and keep an eye on the rolls and take them out of the oven when the tops are light brown. I need to go see how Becky is doing.” Anna sent Allie into the kitchen with a smile and a hug and then headed down the hall to Becky’s room.

She entered the room to find Becky sitting on her bed with a pencil and paper looking thoughtful. Anna took a seat and waited quietly. “Mom, I did what you said and asked Jesus to help me.” Anna waited and prayed that Becky had truly seen that love was not given because it was deserved but because God said to do it. Becky continued, “I made a list.” Becky handed the paper to Anna and waited while her mother read her to do list.
Keep my door closed so Toby can’t get in.
Keep Toby away from my homework.
Ask dad to put up a gate so Toby can’t get into my room.

Anna felt sad as she read the list. She put the paper down and looked at Becky as she said, “Becky, this seems more like a list of keeping Toby out but is shutting your brother out really what Jesus would want? Does Jesus shut us out or does He invite us in?” She looked directly into Becky’s eyes as she waited for an answer and Becky’s answer was so soft that Anna had to strain to hear it, “He invites us in; even when we are bad.” She finished. Anna looked with tenderness at her daughter as she nodded agreement to her answer while she quietly asked the Lord for wisdom in this teaching moment with her daughter. She glanced out the window at the darkness and saw a light twinkling in the distance and an idea came to her.

“How would you like to help me light the oil lamps tonight?” Anna asked. Becky jumped off the bed with great excitement. She had never been allowed to help light the lamps. They were far too old and fragile and only Emily was allowed to help but tonight she would get to do it. Mother and daughter headed down the hallway just as the front door opened and the entire house erupted at once, “Daddy!” The voices of six children rose in unison to welcome their dad home. Eric handed his coat to Anna as he gave his wife a kiss and then swept up each eager child into his arms. They all laughed as Toby squealed with delight and scooted his walker as fast as his chubby little legs would allow but he was so excited he just kept going in circles, his arms waving frantically and drool running down his chin. Eric lifted the laughing boy into his arms and kissed his sweet face and held him against his chest drool and all. Becky wrinkled her nose as she pointed out that Toby had left a huge wet spot on the front of daddy’s shirt. Eric peered down at Becky as he said, “Drool can’t stop a daddy’s love, Becky.” Just then Emily emerged from the kitchen and announced that dinner was ready and everyone hurried to wash their hands and then took their place around the table.

After dinner everyone pitched in and cleared the table and scraped their plates. Once the kitchen was put back in order the family gathered in the family room. “As you all know,” Eric began, “this is Wednesday and that means our small group is going to be here at 6:30. Emily and Aaron will be doing the story reading tonight and will make sure everyone is tucked snug in their beds by 8:30. So, has everyone done their homework?” Eric looked around the room waiting for the replies. Each child talked about their school work and all were finished; all except one. Eric turned his attention to Becky and she wasted no time as she launched immediately into telling her tale of terrible Toby who tore and then tasted her ten word spelling list and so she could not possibly complete her school work.

Becky waited certain that her daddy would take her side. Eric kept his gaze steadily on his daughter’s face as he asked how she thought she could go about accomplishing her homework. Becky sat in stunned silence. She thought he would scold Toby but instead both her parents had wanted to know what she could do differently. Her father’s gaze never wavered and He saw with a father’s eyes the emotions in his daughter’s face. She grew uncomfortable under her father’s steady gaze and she lowered her eyes to the floor and kicked the tile with the toe of her shoe as the words from the earlier conversation with her mother echoed through her mind. “Does Jesus shut us out or does He invite us in?” Her mother had asked her and then she remembered clearly her reply, “He invites us in; even when we’re bad.” Her nine year old brain was trying to figure out what those words had to do with Toby eating her spelling homework when her daddy’s voice interrupted her childish ponderings, “Go and call Emma and get the spelling words from her. Aaron will help you with the phone call and getting the spelling words and then you may go to your room and do your spelling homework.”

While Aaron and Becky were making their phone call to Emma, Anna filled Eric in on Becky’s list of how to shut Toby out and then the idea that had come to her during that time. Eric was nodding when Aaron and Becky came back to report their success in obtaining the spelling words. Becky was about to head down the hallway to begin her homework but her father stopped her as he said, “Becky, before you get started on your homework your mom would like you to help her with something.” Anna stood and held out her hand as she said, “Please help me light the oil lamps, Becky.” Becky was only to happy to delay her spelling homework a little longer as she eagerly went with her mother to help with the lighting of the lamps.

There were five oil lamps dating back to the mid 1800s. They had been passed from mother to oldest daughter for generations. Each lamp had a lamp stand upon which they sat. They had them placed at five different windows – two in the dining room, two in the living room and one in the family room. Every night without fail Anna lovingly lit each lamp.

Sitting near the first lamp in the living room Anna directed Becky’s attention to something engraved on the lamp stand. “Can you read it, Becky?” she asked. Becky got close but the letters were squiggly and she couldn’t read them so Anna helped her. “You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14. She picked up her bible and handing it to Becky asked her to find Matthew 5:14-16. Becky found the address pretty quickly and her mother asked her to please read it out loud. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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 in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Anna picked up the lighter and with one hand removed the glass chimney from the first lamp and asked Becky to carefully turn the wick up using the tiny brass knob on the side and then she allowed Becky to hold the lighter as she held the button down on its handle and together mother and daughter lit the wick and the flame came to life. Anna placed the glass chimney over the flame and the lamp shed its soft light about the room. They went to each lamp and did the same until all five lamps were lit. “What do you see, Becky?” Anna asked. Becky replied, “I see less dark and more light.” Anna was delighted with the answer as she said, “Becky, Jesus is the light of the world and when we come to know Him as our Lord then we become like these lamps. We give light in a dark world. Sometimes the darkness is just ignorance like with Toby. He is really in the dark about how to behave; he doesn’t know any better than to put everything in his path into his mouth. He is also spiritually in the dark; he doesn’t know who Jesus is yet so we are all just like these lamps and we need to shed Jesus’ light within these walls so he can see who Jesus is.” Anna grew quiet as she prayed that the Lord would use her words to shine light in the dark places of Becky’s heart; places where she lacked understanding and especially those places that had turned hard toward her little brother Toby.

Anna decided to ask a question, “Who is the light, Becky?” “Jesus is the light”, Becky immediately answered. Anna continued, “What is the opposite of light, Becky?” “That’s easy, mom. The opposite of light is dark.” Becky answered with confidence. “Very good, Becky. Now if Jesus is the light of the world, who do you suppose the darkness represents?” Anna waited while Becky thought about her answer. Becky looked very serious as she answered, “Ummmmm Satan, right?” “That is right, Becky.” Anna continued, “Do you remember that song, this little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. All the time. Hide it under a bush, oh no! I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bush, oh no! I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine. Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. All the time.

They finished singing the children’s song together and then Anna said, “Becky, when you are angry at your brother and you decide you want to shut him out instead of forgiving him you are not being a light for Jesus. You are in the darkness when you let those emotions control you. Yes, you want to shine light so your little brother knows not to eat your homework but more important than that is how you respond to your brother when he does something that hurts you. As you grow there will be other people who will do things that hurt you and you will always have a choice about how you respond. Will you let your light shine for Jesus or will you cast shadows of darkness?” Becky began to cry and said, “Mom, I am so sorry. I want to be a light. I love Toby.” Anna held Becky as she cried the tears of a repentant heart and she listened while Becky asked God to forgive her and to help her be a light for Him. Then she thanked her mother and ran down the hall to find Toby and she gave him a big hug, drool and all.

Anna stood at the doorway watching her children with a thankful heart as the doorbell rang. She turned reluctantly and headed down the hall to join her husband in welcoming their small group into their home. There were four other couples that made up their group. The Hollisters, the Wrights, the Smyths and the Andersons. Bob Anderson opened the group in prayer and then they checked in with each other to see how they were all doing. Then Brian Smyth asked if anyone had taken up the challenge and helped someone in need that week. Anna shared about the signs she had seen that someone was living under the bridge at the foot of the hillside and that she had taken blankets and food and left them there that afternoon. They spent several minutes talking about taking clothing and also the need to see if they could find shelter for them and agreed that no one should go there alone. The Wrights volunteered to check into various shelters in the area and find out the requirements and then they would go from there and see how best to help.

They had been studying the book of Philippians and tonight was chapter 2. They each took turns reading a verse until they finished the chapter and then they talked about what it meant in real life. They ended with a challenge to reach out to someone who was difficult to love. They went around the group and each person named someone they found difficult to be kind to and a first step they would take that week to reach out to them and then they came to Anna. She sat in uncomfortable silence. Eric put a hand on her arm and said, “What about Mrs. Reynolds?” Anna’s spiritual heels dug in and she resisted the idea, shaking her head. “Anna.” Eric spoke softly, concern showing in his eyes. “The woman hates me for no reason.” Anna stated flatly still shaking her head.

“Anna”, Chloe Anderson said gently. “It isn’t like you to shut someone out this way. Why don’t you invite Mrs. Reynolds to our women’s group tomorrow night?” “She won’t come.” Anna shot back. “Will you at least pray about it and see how the Lord might direct you?” Sarah Wright asked. Anna agreed to seek the Lord in the matter and with that they ended in prayer and moments later Eric closed the front door as the group bid them good night. Anna felt unsettled as she cleaned up the living room and took the tray of coffee to the kitchen while Eric went to check on the kids. He returned a few minutes later and reported that all children were present and accounted for and sound asleep in their beds. He helped Anna load the coffee cups into the dishwasher and then he put the soap in the tray and hit the on button while Anna wiped the counters off. She blew out the candle on the counter top and turned out the light as they left the kitchen and stood in the dining room.

Eric walked to the window and blew out the oil lamps and then taking Anna’s hand in his he led her to the living room where the only light came from the two oil lamps still burning and he drew her to him. “Anna”, he whispered “I heard some of what you said to Becky earlier tonight and I can’t help but see the similarities.” Anna looked up questioningly as Eric continued, “You told Becky that Toby was in spiritual darkness and those of us who know Jesus as Lord are like these oil lamps shining the light of Christ. Well, isn’t Mrs. Reynolds in spiritual darkness? And aren’t we to shine the light so she can see who Jesus is? You wisely told Becky that as she grows up other people will do things that hurt her and she will always have a choice in how she responds. Isn’t the same true for you and me? When the Mrs. Reynolds of the world hurt us don’t we have the choice to shine Christ’s light or to cast shadows of darkness? Anna, don’t let the enemy harden your heart and snuff out the light. I love you, Anna.” With that he kissed her gently, handed her the bible that lay on the coffee table and he headed off to bed leaving her to wrestle this out before the Lord.

Anna left the couch and took her bible and sat on the floor between the oil lamps and she turned to Philippians 2 and read how Christ emptied Himself; gave up His place in heaven and became nothing and in fact took on the very nature of a servant and humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! “But Lord,” she whispered. “She speaks in such a hurtful tone about my children. It breaks my heart every time.” “I know, Anna” came the gentle whisper across her soul and tears slid down her cheeks as she realized that God indeed did know what it was like as His precious son was hated without cause and brutally beaten and finally nailed to a cruel cross on a hill between two criminals – Oh his perfect, precious only son. Anna’s heart broke and she shed the tears of a repentant heart and she poured all the hurt before the One who truly understood her pain and she left it in a messy heap on the throne room floor and in the wee hours of the morning she blew out the flames of the oil lamps as someone stood at the bottom of the hill wrapped in three blankets, drawn to the light out of the darkness.
Anna’s legs were shaking and her heart pounded in her chest as she knocked on Mrs. Reynolds’ front door the next morning. She held a plate of fresh blueberry muffins in one hand as she knocked again with the other. The door opened and Mrs. Reynolds stepped out onto the porch eying the muffins suspiciously. “Well?” She snapped. “What have your kids done now that you are here bribing me with muffins?” “Father, help me”, Anna pleaded. She smiled as she answered in her most gentle voice, “Mrs. Reynolds I baked some muffins for my family and I thought you and Mr. Reynolds might enjoy some too. They are very good. I also wanted to invite you to join a group of women who meet at my home every Thursday evening. I usually share a devotion I have written and then we spend time talking about it. We would love to have you join us this evening.” Anna finished. “Most certainly not!” Mrs. Reynolds said and firmly shut the door in Anna’s face leaving her speechless with her plate of muffins.

Later that afternoon Eric and Anna were driving home after dropping more food and a few toiletry items and jackets near the bridge. As they turned the corner onto their street they saw an ambulance pulling away from the Reynolds house. Eric stopped the car and ran next door just as Mr. Reynolds was opening his garage. Anna got out of the van and hurried to join her husband. Mr. Reynolds was clearly shaken as he explained that his wife appeared to have suffered a heart attack. They were taking her to Saint Margaret’s Hospital. Eric insisted on driving Mr. Reynolds to the hospital and a moment later they were gone.

Anna got supper on the table and while the kids ate she called their small group and told them what had happened and asked them to please pray. The Wright’s offered to come and sit with the kids so that Anna could join Eric at the hospital and she eagerly accepted the offer. Her ladies group still came and Susan Wright led them in Anna’s absence and they spent most of the evening praying for the Reynolds and for Eric and Anna as they were there with them at the hospital.

Anna and Eric sat with Don Reynolds for hours as he waited for news of his wife. They couldn’t see it with their physical eyes but the light of Jesus was flooding that little hospital emergency waiting room, chasing the darkness from all the corners. Finally, Don looked at Eric and then at Anna and said, “My wife has been unkind to you both for years; especially to you Anna so I don’t understand why you would want to sit here waiting for her.” Eric jumped in with both feet and told Mr. Reynolds about a God whose love had nothing to do with being deserving. Don Reynolds listened with great hunger showing in his eyes as he heard for the first time about God and how He sent His one and only Son Jesus to pay the price for his sins. Eric finished explaining the gift of Salvation and then he waited and Don said with tears in his eyes that he wanted to know God. Eric prayed with Don and new life entered that small hospital waiting room.

A short time later the double doors swung open and a doctor strode over to Don Reynolds and spoke in hushed tones. Eric and Anna waited at a respectful distance until the doctor left and then rejoined their friend. Don was beaming with relief as he shared the news, “The doctor said it wasn’t a heart attack but they want to keep Julia overnight just to monitor her and make sure she’s okay. She’ll probably be released in the morning.” Eric gave Don a bear hug and a hearty slap on the back as he exclaimed, “Thank you, Father for watching over Julia. Please continue to be with her and with the doctors too. Amen.”

Anna, Susan Wright and Chloe Anderson met at the Reynolds early the next morning. They gave the house a quick cleaning and Chloe put a lovely vase of fresh flowers on the mantle over the fireplace along with a get well card signed by the group. Anna was just putting the last of the groceries in the refrigerator when they heard the Reynolds garage door open, they were home. Eric held the front door open and Don helped Julia inside; she looked scared and more than a little uncomfortable when she saw the group of women in her living room but she didn’t say anything. She allowed Don to help her to bed. Anna waited until Don returned and then she walked quietly to the bedroom where Julia lay resting against the pillows. “Mrs. Reynolds,” Anna whispered. “I have dinner arranged for tonight and I’m just a phone call away if you should need anything.” Julia Reynolds didn’t speak and Anna turned and walked out without seeing the tears that slid down Mrs. Reynolds cheek when she was alone.

For the next several days Anna visited Julia Reynolds several times a day and made sure they had dinner every night. She brought in the newspaper, cleaned the house, ran errands; whatever needed doing. A couple of times when Don had to go out Anna sat and read to Julia from a book of poems she had found in the Reynolds book case. The kids helped too as they mowed the lawn, raked leaves, washed their car and were mindful not to leave their toys in the Reynolds yard.

It was the morning of Thursday, December 13th and a light snow had fallen during the night leaving a thin blanket of white on everything. Anna and Eric filled two thermoses of hot coffee and filled an insulated casserole with oatmeal and another thermos containing milk and drove down the hill to the bridge and quietly left the items behind the by now familiar brush. They headed back up the hill unaware of the eyes that watched from the brush as they left.

A short while later Anna held a fresh pot of green tea as she knocked on the Reynolds door. Mrs. Reynolds opened the door and stood back and beckoned Anna inside. They sat in the living room and Anna poured two cups of tea and they sat and drank it in silence. Mrs. Reynolds never spoke; she just seemed to watch Anna. Anna finished her tea and picked up the tea pot to head home when Mrs. Reynolds reached out and grabbed her arm as she said, “If I am still wanted I would like to come to your women’s group. It is tonight, isn’t it?” Anna was stunned but quickly covered her surprise and simply smiled and said, “Wonderful. Yes, it is tonight at 7. I’ll see you tonight, Mrs. Reynolds.” Mrs. Reynolds simply nodded and Anna let herself out and closed the door behind her in disbelief at what had just happened. She hurried home to share the news with Eric.

That evening with the room bathed in soft lamp light Mrs. Reynolds sat with nine other women as Anna read a story she had written called ‘The Greatest Gift’. When she finished the story she read Luke 2 about the birth of Jesus and then John 19 and 20 about the death and resurrection of Jesus. She was just finishing when Mrs. Reynolds began to weep uncontrollably. Anna quickly left her chair and knelt at her side. Mrs. Reynolds told how she once had a son named Ryan. When Ryan was nine months old Mrs. Reynolds was driving home from the store when a large truck ran a stop light and broadsided them. Little Ryan lost his life that day and Mrs. Reynolds was left with internal injuries that rendered her unable to have any more children.

Mrs. Reynolds clung to Anna’s hand as she cried, “Oh Anna, how I have hated you for having your six beautiful children. I have been so wrong. Can you forgive me? Oh, God, please forgive me.” Eighteen years of pain, guilt and grief poured from deep within Julia Reynolds' heart. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as very tenderly Anna shared the message of the greatest gift from the very heart of God with Mrs. Reynolds. Nine women knelt together in the soft glow of the lamp light as Julia Reynolds invited Jesus into her heart.

In the quietness they began singing Silent Night, Holy Night and the light filled the room. As they sang a knock came at the front door and Anna quietly left the group to answer it. Snow was falling and on the porch stood a middle-aged woman and Anna immediately recognized her; not because of her face or her hair but because of the 3 blankets she had wrapped around her. Anna brought her in out of the cold and into the living room and the room fell silent as they all realized this was the one who was living under the bridge. Her name was Carol and with a soft voice she said, “I just had to come. I was drawn to the light shining from this house.” Anna began to cry as the weight of those words struck her already full heart. She heard her Lord’s voice whisper in her heart’s ear “Let your light shine, Anna so that they will praise your Heavenly Father. Let it shine.”


An Original Conversations at the Well
Written By Diana Morgan
December 1, 2008