Brighten the Corner Where You Are

Do your little bit of good where you are; 

its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.  –Desmond Tutu

While I was growing up, my mother used to tell me that because God had given me such wonderful gifts and talents, He obviously had big plans for me.  When God miraculously healed my oldest daughter’s heart when she was just a babe, Mom pronounced to anyone who would listen that God obviously had great plans for her life.  In reality, I have lived an ordinary life – no grand curtain calls, no stunning act of devotion.  My daughter still has most of her life ahead of her, but she, too, has received no lofty mission from God.

Whenever I think of my mother’s words, I reflect back to my small green chair in my Sabbath School class of long ago.  I learned so many little songs there that had a direct influence on my thoughts about life.  This was one of my favorites:

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar;

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Brighten the corner where you are!

Brighten the corner where you are!

Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar –

Brighten the corner where you are!

I loved the thought of being my own tiny lighthouse in the corner of the world where I lived.  I would hold my little finger high in the air – visualizing my tiny beam of light helping someone find Jesus.  It was a powerful image for a young child, and it has stayed with me throughout my life.  God has never called me to a grand mission; He has not placed on me the mantle of missions to lands far and near.  I am content knowing that my little light flickers in this tiny corner of God’s great universe.

Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16