Recently I have stumbled upon a phrase. It's so simple, but can encompass so much. Be a light. Whether it be to strangers, best friends, family, acquaintance or anything in between. I want to and know that I can be a light and bring some kind of brightness to everybody's week, wherever they are, however they are feeling and whatever they may be doing and I want to be that for as many people as I can.

Ya see, I can't stand negativity. It honestly breaks my heart and perplexes me at the same time. It is something I will never understand simply because that's not how I was raised nor how I will ever choose to live my life. Nonetheless, there will always be negativity in this world. Whether it's from people you encounter once or twice in passing or people closer to you that stay in your life for whatever reason, we all know it and deal with it day and day out. But while I can't change that, I do my best each and every day to counteract that all too common negativity by choosing to be that light for people who may not otherwise receive it.

What kind of "light" am I talking about you may wonder? Any kind and every kind. A light of love when a friend feels alone and desperate for someone who just will be there to care. A light of hope to a freshman who is 20 minutes late and extremely lost on campus. A light of friendship to my best friends who just want to be in the loop on my life. A light of strength for someone who is breaking and needs my support to stay together. A light of faith for someone overwhelmed by their mistakes and past losing sight of where they belong, No matter what it may be, I think it is in my calling, obligation and job to do so. It may not be everybody's prerogative to open their heart, mind, wallet, schedule or whatever else for someone who may not today or ever do that back for them, but for me, I think it is.I 'm striving to live for God and be a source of positivity to everyone I encounter even if I might not think they deserve it at that moment because ultimately, that's not my call. It's not my job to judge or decide. It's my job to live for my God and be a beacon of Christ each and every day. To some this may not make sense and honestly that's okay. They don't need to understand it, but one day when they need me, they know I'll be there and that is alright with me.

Growing up, I and I'm sure many of you sang "This little light of mine." And I apologize now if I got that stuck in your head, but think about the lyrics as you hum the tune. From the youngest of ages we sang about this light, with little or maybe even no idea of what that "light" meant beyond a flashlight we held in our hand. But similar to that childlike understanding of a simple song, our light in our hearts can be turned on or off almost as easily as flipping a switch to turn off a lamp. That negativity I was talking about surrounds us and I am not going to say it's easy to resist it all the time. We all have bad days, poor experiences, moments of weaknesses and times when it would be so much easier to shut down and let our lights fall dim and be overshadowed by the challenges in our life. But, it's in those times when that light of love, hope, strength, faith or whatever else is the most important. Our light and the ability to spread it to those around us will grow brighter and stronger when we overcome the hardships life throws our way.

So this week, be a light. Be THE light. To your family and your favorite people in the world and to the strangers and your least favorite people in the world. You never know whose path you will cross today, tomorrow or next week that needs YOUR light in their life to carry on. May God bless you this week with his love and make your light shine brighter than ever!