Isn’t it interesting how one thought can lead to another and that to another and that … and, yet, at the end of the chain while you have entertained ideas that could seem so disconnected but you still see a connection?

That happened for me this past week.

At 2:30 one morning I found myself very awake and unable to get back to sleep. So I went to the living room, read awhile then went outside and walked to the end of my driveway.

The circle we live on has about seven houses on our side of the circle. I never paid attention to it before but there are four street lights on that side. At either end, the street curves and not only can’t I see past the curve, it is very dark past the curve.

But on my portion of the street with the four street lights, while not bright as day, it is lit well enough so I can see the road well, and could go for a walk trusting that anyone else out at that time of the morning driving down the street could safely see me.

Then I recalled a quote I recently read,

The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for others to see by. The saint is the one who walks through the dark paths of the world, being him- or herself a light.

(Felix Adler quoted in Daily Spiritual Seed, 10/24/2023, https://archive.aweber.com/newsletter/dailyseed/MjA5NTY3Mjg=/message-of-10-24-2023.htm)

Here I was a few days before the three days of All HallowTide, All Hallows Eve (aka Halloween), All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. A time the Church Calendar calls us to remember the faithful who have gone before us and taking one more step to give thanks for their hand in influencing how we are called to be God’s people today.

Back to the four lights that light the street in front of my house.

Who are four who have helped me, encouraged me, challenged me to faithfully walk with Jesus today. I initially thought of a first grade teacher, a college professor, a pastor and faithful children’s Sunday school teacher.

Why don’t you take some time in this season of remembering the faithful who have gone before us, to name at least four who have personally been a light for you in seeing how to go on to Christlikeness.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}