What’s Hiding Your Light?

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Jen’s Gem: The impossible is possible with God.

You may remember my post last year regarding the ailing azaleas in the front of my house. Due to years of neglect, they’d overgrown. While gorgeous on the outside, they were a hot mess on the inside and some serious pruning was in order. With pruning shears in hand and no experience whatsoever in this task, I set out to remedy this situation.

It is evident from the picture you see here, that I didn’t have a clue what I was doing and I suspect my neighbors got a good belly laugh when they saw the end result. Despite my ineptness, you will see that a full year later, my shrubs have not only recovered, but they are thriving and in need of a “trim” once again.
 
I had no idea what would happen after my pruning spree last year. I thought – I’ve killed them. These beautiful shrubs that have graced the walkway of my house for nearly twenty years are history. To see them come back with such a fervor is not only heart-warming, but thrilling. Despite their diminished stature, they still bloomed in the spring and I’m sure will continue to do so for many seasons to come. 

This Little Light of Mine…

Tomorrow we will experience the solar eclipse. A magnificent event that millions across the U.S. are preparing to witness. Here in Connecticut, I think the only way to see it is to turn on the TV as we are so far from the path, that it’ll just be an ordinary day for us, I’m told.
 
When you think about it – it’s pretty crazy that something could cover the sun and blot it out – even for a moment. I mean we’re talking about the sun! That thing that rises every morning and lights our days, tans our skin, and warms our bodies will shut down and let its light be covered by the moon. Each day it does its job. It knows its purpose. It never waivers. Pretty remarkable, wouldn’t you say?
 
People will experience this eclipse in various ways tomorrow. Some will be donning special glasses with eyes turned upward to watch the event. Others will move about their day without a care to it. It’s just another day. Then there are some who may take the opportunity to reflect on its significance.
 
For me – the phrase – “anything is possible” comes to mind pretty quickly. How often do we limit ourselves by not believing this simple truth? How often do we pass up opportunities out of fear or doubt or an false belief? How often do past events dictate our future behaviors? How often do we take the easy way out simple because, well, it’s easy?
 
I get it. I really do. I have taken the safe route many times in my life, mostly out of fear of failure or loss of financial security. With a mortgage hanging over my head and two kids to support, it’s understandable. But is it now time, to leave the “road most traveled” and discover a new path? Like the moon tomorrow, is it time to think beyond what it can do and attempt the impossible?
 
I encourage you this week to do just that. What has your heart on fire that you’ve put on the back burner? Dust off that dream and shine some light on it. Maybe you can’t go full throttle right away, but you can take a baby step each day to bring it closer to fruition. Perhaps you can write it down – just get it out of your head. That’s a step. Talk to someone about it – another step. Write a list of goals to accomplish in the coming months – that’s a huge step!
 
That’s what the moon is going to do during the eclipse. It’s going to take baby steps and each step forward will accomplish its goal of covering the sun. After a few minutes, its goal will be completed and perhaps it might say “Wow! I did it!” 

Put On Your Special Glasses of Faith

 We’re living in precarious times. Each day brings forth some new calamity that leaves us shocked, afraid and weakened. It’s easy to succumb to these negative emotions, but I want to implore you not to. I believe in my heart that every person alive today is here at this time in history for an important reason. You were chosen and hand-picked by God to fulfill a purpose and shine your light.
 
Don’t let the world’s negativity cover up that light. Don’t let past mistakes paralyze you into complacency. Take a step forward. Take it in faith that if your Creator put a dream in your heart, He’s going to help you see it through. He has equipped you with everything you need. All you have to do is believe and trust Him to fulfill His promise to you.
 
And just as you can count on the sun rising every morning and hacked-up shrubs blooming again, you can count on God to be with you each step of the way making the impossible, possible.

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Jennifer Covello, Copyright 2011-2025