Let there be light

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
~ Genesis 1:3-4

Last weekend I became the very excited (jump for joy & dance around the house kind of excited) and proud owner of... a new kitchen light!! Not just any light... but one located over my kitchen sink!!

You see, I have been without a light there for about a year now (my old one finally died). I know - horrible living conditions - how could I possibly endure it? When you do not have readily available the necessary monetary means - nor do you have any visible home improvement skills - you just deal without a light fixture in that location. And you remind yourself that there are people in this world who don't have a kitchen or even running water (that really puts it into perspective).

(sort of like this light - but much better looking!!)

After saving money - much looking around - decision making - I finally purchased a few months ago a beautiful "brushed satin silver fixed track light fixture" (say that five times really fast). This past Saturday, two dear friends, and wonderful neighbors, came to install the light for me!

He brought the necessary handy professional electrical skills to bring light once again to the darkened sink area. She brought with her the light of her amazing spirit and love! Together they are always a light of hope and love in the lives of so many people lucky enough to know them!! I highly value their friendship which is, and has been, a tremendous gift and tender mercy in my life!

Amazing what little bits here and there were so visibly illuminated when the physical light was finally shining forth!! Not to say that the kitchen sink area was abhorrently dirty... but there were definitely noticeable some previously darkened corners that could use a bit more elbow grease!!

This got me thinking about another source of light that comes into our lives - a much greater light than the physical ones we may have in our homes - and even greater than the light of the sun on a clear summer day! Amazing what little bits become so visibly illuminated in our lives when the spiritual light of Christ is able to shine into the darkened corners of our existence.

As grateful as I am for truly loved friends in my life... I hold an even greater and deeper gratitude and love for my Savior, and the light He freely shares with those who choose to know Him. Even during those times when I may be living in depression's grasp of darkness, and am at times unable to see or feel His warmth and light - I know He is constantly reaching out with His healing light of love. It is this knowledge that keeps me going, especially in those times when I most want to give up.

Butler and a Corgie

I should have a Butler, and a purebred Corgie dog - just like the Queen of England!! It all goes with my new image of being... snooty! Yes I said snooty!! (aka: arrogant, conceited, snobbish).

It all started a week or so ago when I changed my home and car insurance. In the process also obtaining a separate, and much more robust, earthquake coverage policy - which is underwritten by none other than... Lloyd's of London!! (ooooh - aahhhh)

For me the images associated with that phrase... Lloyd's of London... bring to mind a company that has been around for centuries (started in the 1600's) - and does not concern itself with the common or working-class. (Are you using your best royal English accent while reading this? If not then immediately return to the top and start again!!)

Therefore it should correlate that being insured by Lloyd's of London means I ought no longer entertain thoughts of being a plebeian commoner - but of upper-crust aristocratic blue-blood!! Correct?

ENHHH... wrong answer! (in case you are wondering, that is supposed to be a buzzer sound). Actually Lloyd's of London does do business with the masses and undistinguished. In the immortal words of a simple sailor... "I yam what I yam, Toot Toot!!" ... and that would be simple plain Jane me. But even Janes can still dream about butlers and corgies!

---

postscript:
a few days ago I wrote most of a post for my blog, and saved it as a draft. Yeah it's going to stay a draft indefinitely. Why you ask? Well... I know that I write a lot about dealing with depression on this blog - it helps me to "talk" about it. But re-reading this draft was making me even more depressed (hard to believe, but yeah) - and I can't find it within to publish. So instead this is what you get (and hopefully it is found to be more entertaining, something needed in many lives - including my own).