A woman I know received an unusual compliment. She was told that the reason her friends love her so much was because she was so ordinary. “You are just like one of us, but Jesus shines through you.” This woman is a speaker and a writer. Encouraging others is her gift. She has had a tough life.
Maybe you feel ordinary. I know I do. What if being ordinary was the whole point? That ordinary, broken, common people like you and me are capable of extra-ordinary things. My life is very common. I sit at this computer in a sweatshirt and flannel pants. No make-up, varicose veins and knees that hurt. I have no food in the refrigerator according to my teen aged daughter, there is a pile of laundry to do and the dogs need a walk. Yet God can use a woman like me.
I am here to be a light. I have been given forgiveness, hope, grace and more. I simply need to do the same for others. To be generous with my life. Open up to others. Share my light. Some things are private but I cannot keep inside the powerful effect God’s love has made in my life. I spend a lot of time with hopeless people. Hopeless people get a second chance. God is using me to help them. He shines through my broken places into theirs.
In the spirit of the holiday season I challenge you to shine through your ordinary! Be generous with your life, your homes, your affection, your stuff, your attention and your forgiveness. Live with open arms, interruptible, patient, interested and kind.
Shine through your ordinary today. Be passionate. Enough 20-watt bulb living! Become ridiculously addicted to shining. Watch how your ordinary brightens up the world around you.
Linda
