Daybreak

It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.” Psalm 89:37 (NIV)

Today, Danielle (see her blog at left) has a post entitled “In Other Words: Who Are You Reflecting?” It links back to another blog (http://inkitblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/welcome-to-in-other-words-thanks-for.html) inviting people to write about the following quote by Edith Wharton: “There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” That quote reminded me of a recent early morning when I went out to feed the horses. As the days are getting shorter, I now stumble out of the house in the dark. Even though it is the same time of day as always, it is harder to get out there because I cannot see the path from the house to the barn anymore. I suppose I could take a flashlight, but in my house, flashlights disappear in the night. Someday, if we ever move, I expect to find a huge pile of flashlights all huddled together in a corner somewhere piled up like a snowdrift in winter. Our back door faces west and a few weeks ago, as I stepped outside a rosy glow greeted my bleary eyes. After a night of keeping watch, the full moon was just settling down for its rest and in one last effort, brightly lit the morning sky. Mixed in with a variety of pinks were streaks of blue and violet clouds. I stopped before stepping off the porch and stared at the beauty until the horses started squealing about the delay. I went through my morning ritual of herding horses into their stalls and dumping grain and hay into buckets, but my mind was not on my work. I stayed focused on the moon’s brilliance even as it sank lower into the west. I wanted to stay there forever soaking in the scene, but my real job called, so I reluctantly turned to go back to the house. While walking, I had to squint as I faced the east. The colors were amplified and even more striking as the sun emerged through the trees treating me to blast of light. It was an even better show than the one provided by the moon. Then, I thought about how the moon has no light of its own. It simply reflects the light of the sun. The moon’s display I first found so attracting paled in comparison when I saw the true source of the light. As I go through my life, people watch my actions. They think I am so kind and compassionate. Such a good Christian. A wise, godly woman. Yet, many times, I fail them by my inattention, selfishness or judgmental attitude. In the instances that they do applaud my successes, I would be remiss if I let them think that it is me they should admire. My job, like the moon’s, is simply to be a witness to the One True Light. I pray that they are not content to dwell upon my meager efforts, but instead want to be the mirror that points them towards God.