Who do you shine your light for?

Driving through the darkness of night in the backroads of Nebraska, I am amazed to find a farmhouse and yard lit up with Christmas lights. Brilliant colors dazzle along the fence line or outline the shape of the tractor. Surrounded by the blackness of night, the holiday cheer of lights seems even brighter.

I do love looking at Christmas lights during this season. Last year, I had the opportunity to look at Christmas lights from a small airplane on a personal tour that spanned from Gothenburg to Minden. It was magical floating through the air like I imagine Santa’s sleigh would feel. And, again, I was amazed at the occasional lighted farmhouse in the dark patches of night between towns.

Sadly, my thought is often “Why would someone put up lights way out here? Who’s going to see them?” The possible answers to that question have touched my heart this year and made me love those country lights even more.

Perhaps Farmer Matt hangs the lights to create that magical holiday spirit for his young children. Maybe Farmer John has always liked the twinkle of the lights and does it to bring happiness and joy after the harvest season is complete. Potentially, Farmer Bert has fond memories of Christmases past, so the lights go up in honor of those who are no longer with us. And, there’s a good chance that Farmer Todd’s humors his wife who loves decorating for Christmas and chooses to help each year when she brings out the lights. 

I wonder to myself, “Why do you do the things you do? Is your focus on who is going to see it?” It makes me want to string a strand of lights for me to enjoy simply because it would make me happy to watch the twinkling glow. But more than that, it moves me to look at my motive to serve those around me. I’m reminded to honor those I love both present and who have passed. 

As my family drove around town looking at lights, my heart was warm with gratitude for those who have decorated their homes for us to enjoy. And, I am grateful to those country lights that twinkle in the distance reminding me to let my light shine regardless of who sees it. It is enough to shine for myself, to give to those I love or to share a little light with the world around me.