I was recently watching my grandchildren hold sparklers at night that lit up our front yard.

Such fun! Such joy!

But as I watched, I thought about all of the people who live in “darkness” … with no joy or hope.

True light comes from Jesus.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

In a world where so many live in “darkness”, Jesus asks us to be a light for others.
It is both a privilege and a huge responsibility to carry His light out into our lives.
“There are two ways to spread God’s light:
to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
Edith Wharton

And, as Kathy Trocolli sings so beautifully,
“Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold our your candle for all to seeit
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world.”

In a world where so many people feel “broken” and discouraged, it is important to remember that it is through our “brokenness”, that the light of Jesus enters, as long as we are open to it.

At a recent family reunion, two of my children and I spent a lot of time reflecting on how we could better bring the light of Jesus to others… through prayer, becoming more aware of other people’s pain, and making an effort to be better Christians. I can always try harder to become a better person… and

“With faith, all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26

Even the animals can teach us important lessons:
“Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.”
Rabindranath Tagone

I thank God for my faith and for the hope that Jesus brings to any darkness in our lives.

And all of this came to me through my grandchildren’s small hands, grasping the ends of their sparklers.

“God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all.”
1John1:5

Recently, on a beautiful summer night, I decided to drive to the beach to listen to the crashing waves and watch for seals swimming in the ocean.

As I kicked my flip flops off and headed to the shoreline, I noticed something in the sand down by the water.

I walked in excited anticipation of what gift God had in store for me. I reached the water’s edge and saw that someone had created a beautiful turtle in the sand. I was overwhelmed at this totally unexpected surprise.

I stood there reflecting on the person who sculpted this magnificent animal. He/she was obviously a lover of life… someone who found great joy in moments… someone who cherished time on God’s shore and left his/her joy behind for others to enjoy.

I stood there noticing every grain of sand… every carefully placed stone and shell.

James Bryan Conant said:
“Take a walk with a turtle. And behold the world in pause.”

Pauses in our lives are so important. They give us time to reflect on the “now” …and on our many blessings. Pauses stop the clocks of our lives and replace them with deep breaths… pauses replace our calendars with sandpails…racing with standing still… craziness with peace.

We’ve all heard “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Yet life isn’t a race. We only seem to make it one. The turtle asks us, “Then, why are you running?”

We make ourselves so tired …so worn out… so burdened… that we often fail to notice and appreciate some of the greatest gifts along life‘ s way.

“Be grateful for the little things. One day you’ll realize they were the big things.”

I thank God for the gift of this evening surprise. I pray I think of this turtle often and remember it’s valuable lessons.

“Come to Me, all
you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
1 John 2:17

I was recently in Seattle visiting my daughter. One day I went to pick up my 5 year old granddaughter, and she handed me three dandelions that she had lovingly picked for her Mom.

As I looked at the precious bouquet, I thought how the most beautiful bouquets in the world are those seen through the eyes of love. When some look at dandelions, they may see a weed. I choose to see a beautiful flower, and so did my granddaughter.

In these warm days of spring… fresh green grass… blossoming flowers… and chirping birds, May our hearts be renewed again…may we feel a new sense of hope… new life… new beginnings…

May we hear the music God has sent to refresh our spirits.
“Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.”
Song of Songs 2:12

May we affirm within ourselves that we are all precious and beautiful in God’s sight- just the way we are.

“In a world full of roses, stand out like a dandelion in the middle of a green, plush lawn.”
– June Stoyer

As I look at my granddaughter’s precious bouquet again, I thank God for all of the unexpected gifts that fill my days.

Through them, I feel the constant joy, presence and love of Jesus. May those same gifts always be yours as well.

“A flower is prettiest when picked with love.”
-CHA

Easter has come and gone.
Jesus Christ is risen.
And all feels right with the world.

Winter snows have finally melted.
The gift of hope and new life abound everywhere…
in the flowers blooming…
in the birds singing…
in the grass growing…
in the sand once again between my toes.

Never was hope more evident to me than one week ago, on Patriots Day, in the 122nd  running of the Boston Marathon.
Under the most horrific weather conditions, 30,000 athletes took to the 26 mile 385 yard course.

I was there at the finish line and watched Desiree Linden become the first US woman to win the Marathon since 1985. What a thrill to witness!

But by far,  the most poignant moment of the day came later…
MUCH later.

I was in bed watching the late news when I heard that Mary Shertenlieb, a three-time cancer survivor, was out on the course, scheduled to cross the finish line at midnight. I knew I had to be there to root her on. I was overwhelmed at Mary’s courage and determination. I got dressed, left the Lenox Hotel (a half block from the finish line) and went outside. I couldn’t wait to see her finish.

Earlier in the day at mile 15.5, Mary was so cold and wet, she stopped running and went home to shower and change into dry clothes. She was a first time runner, who wanted to mark her five year anniversary of being diagnosed with lymphoma. Mary wanted to offer hope to others. And that, she did!

Rich, her husband and high school sweetheart, told Mary if she wanted to finish the Marathon, he would be by her side. And so they cabbed back to mile 15.5. With the winds whipping and torrential rains pouring down on them, Mary began her journey again.

Friends showed up along the way to root her on. When Mary and Rich turned onto Boylston Street and the final stretch, the finish line was finally in sight. As they ran, shouts of encouragement could be heard along their way.

I was standing at the finish line under a pitch black, rainy sky… along with many of Mary and Rich’s friends, other well-wishers, and a host of television cameras and reporters.

Police officers cleared the way as Mary and Rich, holding hands, beamed, crossing the finish line at 12:18am. There was thunderous applause as Mary and Rich embraced. In completing the 122nd Boston Marathon, Mary raised over $30,000 for Dana Farber.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. I thanked Mary and Rich for being such an inspiration… and then headed back to my hotel room.

As I knelt by my bed that night, I thanked God for the gift of Springtime… for the gift of hope… for the gift of faith that makes all things possible.

It was a day to truly celebrate mankind… to celebrate the thousands of runners and the amazing crowds who came out in torrential rain and fierce winds to support and encourage the participants along the way.

Because I witnessed the marathon bombings five years ago, the Boston Marathon will always hold a special place in my heart. I am forever grateful for the deep impact the Marathon has played in my life and still continues to do.
Long live “Boston Strong”!

God, please continue to bless and heal Mary…
and thank You for the gift of Springtime Hope.

Living in New England, I know how unpredictable the weather can be. In fact, we’ve had four nor-easterns in the last 30 days!

As I was driving last week, I saw a home with it’s front yard covered with snow. And there, amidst the snow, daffodil buds were poking their heads through the frozen blanket of ice. I stopped to get out of my car to take a picture.

It reminded me of my life…and the many times I may feel I am in the dark…perhaps discouraged by life…or relationships…it could be anything. But after winter comes spring…after the rain comes the rainbow. And my faith is restored…I am filled with hope once more.

As I look again at the daffodil buds, I am reminded of Jesus and His death for us on the cross. As we reflect on that again during this Holy Week, may we remember the darkness Jesus entered into…so that we may have eternal life and so that we can emerge from our winter into an eternal Spring.

It looks like a simple paper bag… but it’s so much more.

I was recently visiting my daughter and her family in Seattle, and on the day I left, I noticed my grandchildren coloring on paper bags. When I asked what they were doing, they told me that every Wednesday during the school year, families who want to participate can have their children bring to school an extra lunch bag for the homeless.

I watched as my grandchildren carefully colored both sides of their bags, then filled them with a drink, sandwich, fruit and snack. They went off to school, and I was so touched that Saint Catherine School reaches out in such a loving way to those less fortunate than we. Every Wednesday, a parent group collects all of the extra lunches and delivers them to Tent City, where hundreds of homeless men and women receive the gift of nourishment and love.

If all schools chose to do this, it would be a much kinder, more giving, and loving world.

“Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”
Matthew 25:40

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”
Steve Maraboli

It is now the beginning of a New Year … one filled with fresh promises… new hopes… new dreams… new resolutions. I have many new hopes… to write more… to laugh more… to sing more… to play more… to slow down and listen more…

Jesus has so many gifts and surprises for us, but oftentimes we don’t see them because our busy-ness gets in the way, and we don’t take the time to really listen.

Nathaniel Hawthorne reminds us how joy can be ours…
“Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down gently, may alight upon you.”

The lesson of being still was brought home to me in a very powerful way when I hurt myself in a serious fall and wound up in a wheelchair with two injured ankles.

The first floral arrangement that arrived at my home was from a friend who wrote on her card, “And God said, ‘Carol, take time to slow down and smell the flowers.’ And Carol said, ‘God, I don’t have time.’ And God said, ‘Now you do!’ “

I don’t want to injure myself again to be taught the importance of slowing down and just being. So I try to take extra time to enjoy moments… to linger a little bit longer… to enjoy God’s magical world.

Last week, I decided to drive to Cape Cod Bay. I had heard it was frozen and a magnificent sight to see. I parked my car and looked out at the amazing frozen bay … beautiful with its ice formations along the shore. I decided to stay and enjoy the sight a little more, so I slowly walked down to the icy shoreline.

I noticed a little touch of blue and yellow in the water, and I thought, “It can’t be!” As I kept on walking, I saw that RIGHT in front of me was a beautiful double buoy that had ripped itself free of its mooring and lodged itself in between chunks of ice. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself!
What a totally unexpected surprise.

In the quiet stillness of my morning, Jesus had a beautiful gift for me. I walked gingerly over the ice to reach the buoy’s wooden handle.
As I rescued the buoy from its icy prison, I thought- had I been in a rush that day, I would have missed my unexpected surprise. By taking a few more minutes out of my day to listen and be still, I was now going home with another treasure to hang on my outdoor shower.

What does the Lord have in store for me today?

“Be still and know that I am God. I’m right here by your side.”
Psalm 46:10

May I learn to still my body… my mind… and my spirit… and wait for the Lord to speak. His surprises and blessings are endless.

Every year as I prepare for Christmas and for the birth of our Savior, I look forward to bringing down one decoration from the attic more than any other… my creche.

I first saw it at my husband, Steve’s, parents’ home in Stowe, VT, one Christmas many years ago. When I asked Steve about it, he said he had built the stable from an old orange crate when he was a little boy. And it had been used by his family ever since. When Steve’s parents died, we inherited the precious stable, and it comes out every Christmas.

Years have chipped away the paint from the plaster of Paris figurines … but nothing can chip away the incredible beauty of this sacred nativity scene, so magnificent in my eyes.

As Christmas comes again, I bow before Baby Jesus, once more celebrating His birth in a humble stable in Bethlehem. I feel the presence of my husband and his parents from heaven… and I am sure they are smiling as they watch me sit before their nativity set. Looking at it quiets my soul… my mind… my spirit and my body… and helps me focus on this holy season.

With Christmas trees and shoppers… decorations and presents… wrapping paper and mistletoe all around me, I want to remain peaceful and calm… I want to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. I saw it in the eyes of a young boy last week, who was shopping in a toy store with his grandmother for a child whose name was pulled off a tree at their church. The joy on that little boy’s face, as he shopped for someone less fortunate than he I will never forget.

May we all have that same deep joy and love in our hearts this Christmas, and may we share it with others. That’s the best gift we could give our Newborn Savior.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

I am blessed to live on Cape Cod for many reasons. But, in particular, I love the cool, crisp days of fall, when local cranberry bogs are bursting with vibrant colors and berries are waiting to be harvested.

Cape Cod is one of the country’s largest producers of cranberries, with over 14,000 acres of working bogs, despite being the sixth smallest state.

As Thanksgiving arrives, I am reminded of Psalm 67:6:
“The earth has yielded its produce; God our God blesses us.”

Whether we are celebrating Thanksgiving with loved ones
or friends … or if this year finds us alone, may we always have a thankful heart, no matter what is going on in our lives.
For God is always with us… to walk with us… to listen to us… to share our burdens… to lighten our loads… to give us courage to endure… hope to believe … and grace to sustain us.

May we be filled with God’s peace, joy and love …
and may we always share our faith… our bounty… and our harvest with others.
For this truly is the season of thanks and of giving.

I was driving along a local Cape Cod road recently on a crisp, fall day… when I saw a gorgeous pumpkin patch on the front lawn of a church nearby. I stopped my car and got out to admire the spectacular sight.

The colors were brilliant… orange, white, green… they were all different sizes and shapes…big ones… small ones… tall ones… stocky ones. Some pumpkins had dings on them… some had broken stems… but that didn’t matter. The important thing was that they all worked together to make a glorious picture.

As I stood there soaking up my surroundings, I thought about our country… and how diverse it is…just like the pumpkin patch. We are a nation of many different races, religions, creeds, shapes, sizes…all living together.

When pumpkins are carved and candles placed inside, each one has a beautiful warm light that embraces us in its glow.

We also have a light within us, just like the pumpkins. When God carved each one of us, He gave us all a light to shine.

In Luke 8:16, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.”

How do we bring light to a world in so much darkness? One person at a time.

As Kathy Triccoli so beautifully sings, “Carry your candle…Seek out the hopeless…the tired…the worn…Hold out your candle…for all to see it…Take you candle, and go light your world.”

This Halloween when we light our pumpkins, may we be reminded to let the Light of Jesus within us shine before men.