THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

It seemed like a giant step to the front platform of the church.


When the piano began playing it was our cue to begin singing.  Each time we visited our grandmother who lived states away, my brother, sister and I sang, This Little Light of Mine, at the Hurricane Baptist Church.

When we sang my body swayed back and forth – mostly from nerves.  My eyes linked to the glowing face of my grandmother. Her smile encouraged me to sing loud and strong. I loved her and would do anything to make her proud and happy – even overcome the fear I felt standing on a huge stage in front of a crowd to sing the same lyrics year after year.

Not long ago I was back in the Hurricane Baptist Church.  As I stood in the pew looking at the one small step to the front platform I realized the passing of time had shrunk the size and scale of the space I stood in as a little girl.

Decades of events skipped through my mind. This was the church where my parents were married. This was the church where I cried at funerals.  And this was the church where I learned the song that I could hear as it circled my memory now. 

Occasionally, a life lesson is a long time in the learning.  Standing in that pew I realized the lesson my grandmother was very intentionally teaching.  We could have sung a different song every year, but it was always THAT song.  She wanted us to sing it over and over again until we understood the meaning.

We all have our own unique spirit inside; a one of a kind light that needs to shine.  We must bravely allow our individual personality, our talent and our joy to be seen and shared.  We must have the courage to stand up in front of others and hold up our light.  And, never allow anyone to smother it.  What a bold and bright lesson in one little song.

This church was my grandmother’s space; a home where she felt love and joy.  This is where HER light shinned. This is where I followed her encouragement and love to take that giant step as a little girl.  This is where I held up my little light and allowed it to shine boldly, brightly and bravely. This is where I now understood the power of my spirit and the importance of bringing it out into the open space for others to see.

Yes, this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

Pennie’s Life Lesson: “Allow your light to shine boldly, brightly and bravely…only then will you know the power of your  spirit.”   
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YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to shine the inner spirit of who you are to the rest of the world.  It is in this light you will find fulfillment and happiness.  How do you let your light shine? 
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