Thanksgiving has come and gone. It seems time is really sweeping by. I hosted a beautiful Thanksgiving in my home with my American family and my Ethiopian family. Its always nice having the two cultures running around in the house. When my Ethiopian Mommy arrived she immediately requested to listen to some of her favorite Ethiopian singers. My American Mama came and joined right in dancing to this foreign music as if it were Michael Jackson. Our meal was a nice blend of American, Kenyan and Ethiopian. We had our mashed potatoes, turkey and fried chicken but Mommy brought dabo and salata. I made Kenyan cabbage and other fixings. But more than all the FOOD we consumed, when guests come into my room the focus is always on this beautiful lamp.
That lamp is my inheritance. My grandmother passed away in July. When my aunties and uncles were taking what they wanted to remember her by, the only thing I wanted was the lamp. This lamp looks like its worth a pretty piece of change but even with its elegance it has a homely feel.
Since Grandmama died I've been pretty down. I am high functioning but I have many moments where all I can do is cry. I miss her so much. My house is pretty dark; there aren't many light fixtures. For months I've been looking at this lamp thinking how pretty it will be once I get new bulbs.
Tonight I walked over to the lamp and realized it had never been plugged in. As soon as I plugged it in it gave off the most beautiful light I've ever seen. It added an ambiance to my great room.
In the midst of this holiday season with my husband miles away, my grandmother and dear friend passed on, I want a quick problem-solver. "Just buy new bulbs," I thought. When I got down on my knees I could reach the plug. When I removed a Bible off my bookshelf I could reach the socket. When I replaced the book, got off my knees and stood up I could see the LIGHT.
You know, its so easy for me to stay in bed, sleep all day and be in the pit but after a while that gets old. I can't stay in darkness forever. If I want to see light in my life, I must PLUG IN to the truth. And that truth is in the WORD.
One of my favorite authors, Matthew, in his fifth book put it this way:
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, brining out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with god, this generous Father in heaven."
That lamp is my inheritance. My grandmother passed away in July. When my aunties and uncles were taking what they wanted to remember her by, the only thing I wanted was the lamp. This lamp looks like its worth a pretty piece of change but even with its elegance it has a homely feel.
Since Grandmama died I've been pretty down. I am high functioning but I have many moments where all I can do is cry. I miss her so much. My house is pretty dark; there aren't many light fixtures. For months I've been looking at this lamp thinking how pretty it will be once I get new bulbs.
Tonight I walked over to the lamp and realized it had never been plugged in. As soon as I plugged it in it gave off the most beautiful light I've ever seen. It added an ambiance to my great room.
In the midst of this holiday season with my husband miles away, my grandmother and dear friend passed on, I want a quick problem-solver. "Just buy new bulbs," I thought. When I got down on my knees I could reach the plug. When I removed a Bible off my bookshelf I could reach the socket. When I replaced the book, got off my knees and stood up I could see the LIGHT.
You know, its so easy for me to stay in bed, sleep all day and be in the pit but after a while that gets old. I can't stay in darkness forever. If I want to see light in my life, I must PLUG IN to the truth. And that truth is in the WORD.
One of my favorite authors, Matthew, in his fifth book put it this way:
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, brining out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with god, this generous Father in heaven."