I Want to be a Lite-Brite
The Lite-Brite toy came out in the 1960s and is still considered one of the top 100 greatest toys ever. My children had one and most recently, for memories sake, I purchased my daughter another one.
A Lite-Brite consists of a light box with a blank sheet of black paper placed on the panel over the light. When inserting small, clear colored, plastic pegs that fit into the panel, darkness is broken and light shines through and is illuminated. Let there be LIGHT!
As a child, I was very afraid of the dark which was fueled by innocently going into haunted houses at the Texas State Fair. Subsequently, I imagined all kinds of ghastly creatures creeping into my bedroom in the dark after that. My mom came to my aid by placing a night light in my room.
Then I could distinguish what was around me. But, beyond those fears, there were emotional times of darkness that lurked around me when I was fearful that my dad might have another seizure that could lead to his passing. I was a young girl that needed a bright light in my life.
I have friends who are living in darkness because of many emotional concerns and fears. We all need to hear these words today: “The darkness is afraid of OUR light and when our light shines, darkness will run in fear.”
I heard Australian speaker, Christine Caine, tell this story: “When my daughter, Sophia, was very young, we were shopping at a Walmart. We love America for your Walmarts! Sophie wanted a flashlight and had the perfect one picked out. Walmart’s fluorescent lighting doesn’t make for the best conditions to test out a flashlight.
She was so excited to go home and try out her new little gadget. She said, “Come on, Mum! Let’s go find some darkness.” I was so excited about the insight of my little girl at that moment. ‘Sophia, what you just said shows more spiritual maturity than most Christians ever reach. We will absolutely go find some darkness!’”
That “enlightening” story speaks volumes about us and our lights. Often, we are so introspective about our fears, anxieties, and the darkness around us that we fail to realize we don’t have to stay in that darkness. We can literally combat that darkness by turning on THE LIGHT within us, and when we do that, we will be LIGHT-BRIGHTS that shine so brightly that the darkness just can’t stay.
And, the best part? Not only will the darkness be dispelled in our lives, but it will light up the world around us. I’m no longer afraid of the dark because I have Christ’s bright light within me. Let’s go find some darkness and turn our LIGHTS on brightly and see the change we’ll make for ourselves and those around us today!
“For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8