Father Sky sketched a wondrous winter blue sky this morning. No clouds, just a lone turkey buzzard climbing the circular stairway in the windy sky. My yard was full of birds filling their little bellies with sunflower seeds. All the birds sitting on the power lines had their feathers fluffed, insulating themselves against the cold. I love watching the crests on the birds blowing in the wind gusts, their downy breast feathers fluttering. Guess they’re hunkered down in their hidey-holes keeping warm tonight. Bless their birdie hearts. They’ll be having popcorn for an afternoon treat if it snows tomorrow.

Winter has found his home in Alabama. Glad it’s temporary! I’m excited about the “maybe” dusting of snowflakes but I’m sorry for those who are suffering from the cold. I know the south Alabama children will have a hard time getting to sleep tonight with their snowfall predictions.

I watched the presidential inauguration today. I loved the United States Marine Band’s patriotic music. I love the piccolos. The piccolo soloist in The Stars and Stripes Forever was wonderful, very talented. The music moved me, made me tear up. I’m so grateful and thankful to live in America. She certainly is “America the Beautiful.” I wrote a quote down from an inaugural speech and forgot to write who said it but I love the quote. “Let America be a beacon of light.”

I think God wants us to be a beacon of light, letting our Christian faith shine through our words and deeds, bring others to Christ through our witness. To be a beacon of light we have to radiate our faith through kindness and compassion, being a source of joy for those in need. God has given us all special gifts that we can use to light others lives. Jesus is our light when our life gets dark. John 8:12 reads, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

Webster’s dictionary defines a beacon as a source of light or inspiration. Each day is full of opportunities to be a beacon of light in someone’s life. We can bring sunshine on a cloudy day and hope when the storm rages. Biblical scripture in Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father.”

Let’s shine our beacons of God’s love, bringing the light of hope to where life is darkest.

“Live your life like a lighthouse and be a beacon of hope to others.” — Pat Schwallie-Gaddis