Saturday October 21, 2023
Fran Meffen
Light & Dark
These two words have so many feelings, emotions and spiritual connotations attached to them. As I start my day sitting looking out at the orange, red and gold leaves on the trees and feeling the warmth from the fireplace these two words have cycled back and forth in my mind.
It is easy to be enveloped by the darkness that is happening all around us, from the continuing war in Ukraine, the war that is now happening between the Israeli people and the Hamas terrorists, the battles in the federal government and so much more. We also can be facing our own darkness which often goes unseen or unknown to others be it mental health, loss, loneliness, addiction and so much more.
For me, this darkness can only be diminished by seeking out the light; the light of the sunrise in the morning or sunset as the day closes, the light of a child’s face as it shines with joy and wonder. But the strongest source of light is the Spirit that resides within each of us, shining the light that can guide us out of the darkness. The light that can grow ever stronger from within and be felt by all those round about me as it grows ever brighter.
As I sat at the Prayer Vigil for Peace Wednesday night at Temple Israel in Portsmouth, I saw the light round about me, I felt the light that was connecting all those in the room and beyond. I knew that the Spirit was within each and every one of us, calling out the light that will bring about change and peace.
Tea candles were made available to everyone who attended last night’s service to continue spreading the light. Jack and I will be putting up the candles in our windows once again as we did during the height of the pandemic as a source of light, letting anyone who comes by the house know that it is a place of peace, a place of love, a place of welcome.
Let us all light a candle and spread the light of the Spirit that is within so that the world can once again come together in the warm embrace of the Spirit’s unconditional love.
Peace be with you,
Fran Meffen