This Little Light of Mine
By: Gaby Mendoza
As I sit and think about what I am thankful for, I feel like my list could go on and on! This year has been full of so many good things for my family. I can say that I am grateful that we have managed to stay healthy miraculously; we have been homeowners for a year; we have a wonderful community. We’ve moved on to better jobs; we have family surrounding us; we can have regular date nights; we have not lacked in any area of our lives. I believe entirely in Romans 8:28- “.. for we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..” Because this year, or should I say, since the beginning of the pandemic, we have encountered so much good!
However, there is something that has caught my attention. I have discovered more about and seen more mental health issues in the thick of it all. This year, I saw how broken the world is, how lost and in need, we are of a Savior. My prayer was for my heart to break for what breaks God’s- and boy did it break! It shattered. I saw those issues in myself as generational trauma reflected in my parenting. I saw them in my friends as they navigated marriage, having kids, dealing with postpartum depression. I saw them through my mom while she went through a very emotionally draining relationship. All of this really took a toll! According to the enneagram personalities, I am a type 2 (if you regard that). Which means I feel emotions deeply! This is very true about me....ask anyone! I cry a lot (shrug emoji, laughing emoji)! Because of this, I am very grateful for my husband, my BFFL, Alex. He was raised in the most loving, supportive, and expressive environment imaginable. (I could even be more grateful for his parents). Alex is the most loving person I have met in my whole life. He is always the first to apologize, the first to forgive, and the first to offer a warm hug.
As I encountered these situations through my loved ones and found deep-seated trauma in myself and my upbringing, Alex has always been there to hear me out, help me sort through my emotions, and love me unconditionally. I am grateful that his faith is grounded. He helped me remain anchored and always reminded me that I was enough. I recognized how broken the world is. But even when our world seems dark, God is a never-ending, never dimming light!
I hope you, too, have that strong faith-someone who is anchored in God. It could be a spouse or a close friend. This life is not meant to be done alone. We need hope to cast light over the darkness we are overwhelmed by and lead us directly to Jesus. Psalm 18:19 says- “ He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”
I hope you find encouragement knowing that you can turn to God, and He will bring you out of whatever difficulty simply because He delights in you!