One Candle

“It is better to light just one little candle,

Than to stumble in the dark!

Better far that you light ust one little candle,

All you need's a tiny spark!”

This weekend I was at the baptism of a friend’s first child. The presiding Deacon had a great homily, and uses a song One Candle from a show called The Christopher’s. The songs message can cross into many parts of life; a snippet is above.

The message at the baptism was a call to all people present, to not let just the parents and Godparents be the candle of Christ’s love. You see, if one person lights a candle in the dark, you can see a small area, but if many people light a candle you can fill a room. It’s a simple, beautiful concept.

This concept can also be adopted for charity, fitness, kindness, work, neighbors, sports, just about anything. If you see someone struggling at work, try to mentor them. If you know someone dealing with a personal issue, try to comfort them. Have a lot of extra winter clothes you do not wear? Donate them now. Encourage someone trying to lose weight to make a healthy choice at lunch, or hit the gym. Have a few extra dollars or hours, try to donate them. Go shovel a neighbor’s driveway. Listen to your children, even the seemingly unimportant chatter. All these simple actions are lighting a candle for somebody.

This week I commit to lighting a candle. I am not sure for who or how yet, but I want to step outside of my routine and shed some light that was not in the world this week. Just a little extra light might be the difference for someone in stumbling in the dark.