"The Light of Today" by Jess Hall

“O LORD, you light my lamp. My God turns my darkness into light.” (Psalm 18:28, GW)

My son’s artwork from elementary school has hung on my wall for the past 12 years. I framed it and put it in a special place. I walk by and glance at it almost every day. But the day after his 19th birthday, I sat and gazed at it.

Growing sad, missing yesterday.

Growing anxious, worried about his future.

Suddenly, in the carefully crafted scribbles of color, I saw something I had never seen before. This giraffe, gazing back at me, was mirroring my mind. One orange ear was blocking her vision. The other ear was allowing the light of the sun to be seen.

I knew I had a choice. I could choose to be blinded, listening only to the voice in my head, trapped in depression and anxiety. Or I could choose to open my heart and mind, letting in the light from God’s Son. Living present in His Presence of today.

Today, looking at His Word.

Today, listening to His Truth.

Today, leaning into His Strength as He fills me with His love and light.

And so, I opened up my heart, pouring out praise in the warm morning light...today.

“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”” (Psalm 31:14, ESV)

“For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.” (Psalm 18:28, ESV)