“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
You quickly appreciate the simple convenience of flipping a switch and getting light – especially when I, like hundreds of thousands of other Oklahomans, were plunged into darkness and cold during the October ice storm.
Initially, loss of power is only a mild irritant. I felt inconvenienced by the loss of television in the middle of my favorite show and when I had to use my phone light to find a flashlight and batteries. I reminded myself not to open the refrigerator or freezer, to wear an extra layer of clothes, and this surely won’t last long. But after day 4 – irritation had given way to anger, frustration, and boredom. I went to bed early as darkness hits about 5:30 p.m. but woke up at 2 a.m. to the droning of generators.
During this lengthy endurance game, I found myself humming a song from my childhood This Little Light of Mine. I thought of it every time I walked into a room and tried to flip on the light. The origins of that sweet gospel song aren’t completely clear, although it was first sung in the 1920s. A published poem from 1925 carries the famed phrase This Little Light of Mine and was perhaps where the tune began. Several versions have been popularized over the years and the song is often associated with the Civil Rights movement. It was sung by the Harlem Boys Choir on the first David Letterman show after the September 11 attack.
The words from the United Methodist Hymnal are so simple and catchy:
This little light of mine, I’m goin-a let it shine. Everywhere I go,
I’m goin-a let it shine. All through the night, I’m goin-a let it shine.
The original poem has another line that I especially like: In my neighbor’s home, I’m goin’ let it shine.
During our time without power, several neighbors offered us warm places to sleep, food, coffee and warm showers. The kindness was real and so appreciated. In the middle of it all, several of us joined together to cut and drag limbs and pick up debris in each other’s yards. You kind of forget your own worries when you help someone else.
It was on day 10, at 5 p.m., our power was restored! The first thing I did was flip on a light – just to make sure. I thought of that song and how it means more than the literal words of letting a light shine, but really how we should be a shining light for others during the dark times. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Lori Hall, Executive Director of Missions
