“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
God’s Word, like a lamp, illuminates. It helps us discern spiritual danger so we can avoid them, and it points us in the right direction to take our lives. It lights the path we take through life.
As many of you know on April 27th, 2011 a tornado ripped through my hometown of Pleasant Grove destroying my home and so many others. I thought I would share with you a blessing that occurred during that time.
I’m sure many of you have that prized possession that you cherish. The one thing you always want to have with you. Well, for my mom and our friend Donna that was a lamp that my grandmother, Mama Ree, gave to them years ago. She gave one to my mom and an identical one to Donna.
My grandmother passed away in August of 2008. She was the sweetest person I have ever known. She taught me how to show true love to others. You find a special someone like that once in a life time. When you do find them, cherish every moment because life is too short. She will always be missed. My mother’s lamp broke years ago. She was upset by this but never thought much of it. She had many other things to remind her of her mother. Donna however, still had her lamp. She had joked many times telling her family if there was a fire they should grab the lamp before exiting the house. This joke became reality on April 27th in the form of a tornado.
The next day as my family and I were going through our rubble, Donna and her family were going though theirs. We lost everything. All our memories and prized possessions…gone! One thing made it through the storm at Donna’s house…The Lamp! It was found sitting on the ground un- touched in the middle of the rubble of what use to be her home. I didn’t think much about the lamp until weeks later. Donna showed up at our new house with a house warming gift…the lamp. You see now that lamp is all we have left of our Mother, Grandmother and Friend, it means more than anything to all of us. I believe the lamp was a sign from above. My grandmother was watching over my family and Donna’s family that deadly night. She will always be there for us because she is our Angel, and she has shown us that there can be many blessings in the aftermath of April 27th. I know that miracles can come in different forms and to me that was one of many miracles that occurred that night.
I will return the lamp to Donna one day. But the future holds so much. I look forward to the future when I can use the Lamp at my bridal tea and other events in my life to represent that my Grandmother will always be there with me. Thank you is not enough. I will never be able to express my gratitude for the gift of the lamp.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8. – You see…He was with us on that night! He knows what our futures hold and I look forward to discovering mine!
Love,
Leigh Ann
