One early morning I caught a glimpse of the rising sun making a shadow appearance as it reflected off the brick house next door.

A tiny glimmer.

There I was standing in the laundry room – feeling very routine with the task at hand. Sort the clothes, fill the machine, select the cycle, add the soap, …

Routine.

But then, I glanced up and saw it. The rising sun peeking it’s way in between the houses. Warm. Bright. Cheerful.

The vivid morning sun melting away the night that lay beneath it’s exquisiteness. Glistening with streaks of happiness and rays of brilliance that sparkled against the cold brick. Offering warmth to the chilly air and providing light to the darkness that filled the sky just moments before.

And, offering this girl a much needed moment of comfort.

Ahhh yes, just what I needed. The gift of a new day filled with a glimmer. A tiny glimmer of hope.

I paused in the midst of my routine to take it in, then moved closer to raise the blinds to get a better view. I’m not really sure why? It didn’t appear to be anything extra-special. I had certainly seen this before. But, for some reason, in that moment, I stopped and stood staring at the sun rising up between the houses. Absorbing the warmth that was making it’s way into my heart. It felt good, really good, to pause and reflect and give thanks for the hope to be found in this new day.

A glimmer. A tiny glimmer of hope.

This glimmer made it’s way into my heart like a gift. A familiar gift wrapped in the same gift wrap, yet somehow not the same at all. New. Fresh. Different. It caused me to stop and soak-up-the-moment, cling to the gift of a new day and help shift my focus off of the yesterdays.

At it’s first glance the rising sun seemed so insignificant, so expected, so normal … but instead had now become new and restoring. Standing there I could feel the hope in this tiny glimmer. I could feel the One who breathes life into my aching soul. The One who offers strength to face each moment.  The One who offers hope in eternity.

I was then reminded how easy it can be to miss the glimmer if I’m not looking. And … how often routine can take over and then cause me to forget to … ‘raise the blinds’.  Seeing this glimmer, I realized how crucial it is to every breath I take. A glimmer to carry me as the weight of the world presses down hard.  Sometimes a tiny glimmer is all there is. 

The glimmer of hope.

Life is hard and the storms can often feel so unbearable.  A glimmer of hope brings healing to the suffering, even if one tiny glimmer is all there is.  Because One glimmer is everything. My prayer for you is that you will raise the blinds and let the Light shine in. Find the glimmer.

In nearly a week the birth of our Savior is remembered and celebrated.  My heart swells with gratitude for this most precious gift. The gift of hope in eternity where the weight of the world will no longer press down hard.  A glimmer. The ultimate cherished glimmer.

John 1:9 ~ The true light, that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.