This Little Light of Mine

You may recall this song from your childhood:

This Little Light Of Mine Hymn

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

This song had came to mind this morning as I was reflecting on the gospel reading of the day:

Gospel lk 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable.
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself
but is not rich in what matters to God.”

During my reflection, I was struck with how easy it is to be selfish, yet not with merely material items, but with our time.  I was blessed to have been able to stay home with my kids for 14 years, homeschooling for 9 of those years.  Circumstances changed and I had to get back into the workforce while managing four children, two of whom have special needs, one with autism.  It's understandable the need I have to want to be selfish with my time to help my children with their needs.  However, my experience with my children can't be stored up for myself or simply for my family's benefit.  I am amazed as I work with other families and with their children, simply sharing my experiences blesses them!  It is truly sharing the richness of God.  

In essence, God did not wish for me to hide "my little light under a bushel" but to let it shine!  My little light is reflecting His light, which is the light of the world. Oh, the wonders He can do through us all if we just allow Him to shine!  

Did you know that life coaching can give you that space to discover the ways you can let your own light shine?  Yes!  You have a light that was ignited within you and yearns to shine forth!  You are only limited by where your allow the light to reflect!  

Contact me and explore how you can let your own light shine!  Call 208-966-4338 or 208-449-9019 or email me at Sheilamh67@gmail.com.

Why is taking care of our selves so hard to do?

How many times do you say, "I need to take better care of myself"?  It could be eating better, exercising, getting a full night's sleep, taking time to refresh, or even getting yourself to the doctor for a check up!

As a parent of a special needs child, that seems to be magnified.  Yes, even parents of neurotypical kids struggle with balancing their time and making healthy choices, but it seems, with regards to the challenges some of our kids are facing, parents of special needs kids continually put their own needs off in order to make sure their kids' needs are taken care of first.  Some parents end up with some serious health issues, emotional or mental health problems, marital issues, social isolation, and the list goes on.  Additionally, single parenting, in whatever form it can take, (deployment of a spouse, over worked spouse, etc.) is itself a challenging situation, and when you add the complexities involved in caring for children with health issues or who are developmentally delayed, it can be quite worrisome trying to figure out what to do in those "What if" scenarios.

I am learning, along with the parents I coach, the importance of putting time aside to care for my own needs.  In fact, right now, I'm writing this blog all hooked up with wires as I'm getting a sleep study done.  The last one I did, I was pregnant with Michael, 10 years ago.  I'm in need of a new machine, so here I am, fulfilling the insurance requirements to get another, newer machine as my last one finally broke down.  I certainly can testify to the necessity to take some time for myself to get refreshed and in this case, to care for a medical need I have so I can take better care of my kids and have more energry for the various activities we want to be a part of.  Despite the teasing I was getting, falling asleep while reading to the kids or praying during devotions, I want to have more energy and clarity of mind, not only with my own kids, but with the kids I am privileged to be working with.  God has given me many opportunities and I have to do my part to make life more fulfilling, not only for myself, but to truly help others with the best of my abilities.  I can, in this case, do my best with the gifts I have been given, when I am well rested.

Here I am, living it up on a Friday night!

What area of your life are you wanting to improve upon?  Working with a coach can help get you where you want to be.

Contact me today and we can take that first step together toward making the changes you have been putting off.

Call or e-mail me and we can get started with your free inquiry call!

208-449-9019 or 208-966-4338
Sheilamh67@gmail.com