The Joy of Sharing Our Light

Last night, I attended my church's annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and talent show. Oh my! There were about twenty "acts" from "Comedy News Show" to beautiful gospel. My two favorites:

• Marty Fernald (85 if she's a day) playing harmonica. Her dad taught her how when she was a little girl. She played "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," and we all sang along. She was great -- Marty really knows how to play the harmonica!

• A little 6-year-old girl (at most), also on harmonica. She played "Jingle Bells" (on Shrove Tuesday -- you gotta love it). But the kicker was that she played it all on the same note. Totally accurate rhythm, but every note the same. I think she got the most applause.

There were photograph and quilt displays, art by the pre-school through junior high Sunday School classes, singing, stories, other musical offerings, and dance.

I don't usually go to these evening church gatherings, and I will go more often in the future. Every offering was received with great applause and gratitude, even moreso for the lack of "polish" and the openness of heart with which it was shared. The joy in the room was palpable, the kind of joy that comes directly from letting our light shine. And that was true of the audience as well as the performers. We all felt the light and the love, the appreciation, kindness, and connection.

Wishing you light and love and connection!

And Good ki!

Judy Ringer