Our Stories
Icicle Lights Anyone?
By Char Forslund | posted 12/10/2009
"When Jesus spoke to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12)
First, let me declare, loud and clear, that every package of icicle lights should contain this BOLD disclaimer:
The manufacturer will not assume responsibility for any mental health or anger management needs arising from the attempted use of this product.
For the past several years our grandson Dillon has claimed the rights to putting up the outside Christmas lights. That is, our deeply cherished, appreciated, and gifted grandson, Dillon, who has been away at college this year.
On Tuesday, December 1, Ron and I set out to get the icicle lights up outside. When we carefully stored them last January, all worked A-OK - so we put them up - and they lit! Every OTHER strand of them! What!? We needed to go get our Angel Tree gift at Target that afternoon so we bought a new long set of lights at the same time to replace the two bad ones. When we got to the car, Ron said, "How much did those lights cost?"
Checking the receipt I replied, "Sixteen dollars and ninety nine cents!" "Wow! That's expensive! OK ... let's just get them up."
Yeah, let's just go get it done! They proved to be heavy duty icicle lights on thick GREEN cords and the icicles were a good 4 inches shorter than the "white" strands we had.
"Its OK - no one will notice." So the green cord lights went up and when lit, two other cords failed immediately. Enough for one day.
"Ok, Char ... tomorrow morning, I will go to Home Depot and get three more sets of white lights...OK?" "OK"
On Wednesday, Ron took himself to Home Depot where he said to a sales assistant, "I need three sets of if icicle lights on white cords."
"You've got it sir, here you go!" Relieved, he paid and came home only to find that every box was a different kind of icicle lights on white cords. (Need I remind you of the disclaimer mentioned before?) A frustrated Ron returned to Home Depot to exchange the three individual sets and get three identical sets. Yes! We were almost there! Except - one of those three was a factory defect and never lit at all. Look out Home Depot, here he comes!
On Thursday mid-morning, we had the lights-on white cords - all the same - sort of-except we still had in place a green sturdy string that ended up about in the middle and the one remaining set from years before. Finally they all were up. There was a "bit of a bunch" at the end where we had more lights than space, but, you know, by late Thursday they were in place and we were ready to light! Ron came down off the ladder for at least the 25th time and said, "Let's light them up!" and we did.
After dinner I looked out front and called to Ron, "Come look at the lights!" Two of the three new strands were now twinkling furiously. One new strand sedately beamed steadily. The midget green strand struggled to hold its own. And the one longstanding strand from years ago steadily shed ongoing light. Between the "oh no's!", we actually laughed and said "accept it and let it be ... enough is definitely enough!"
So what is the point? I have looked at those lights every day and they have taught me a lot about myself.
I have been the little green strand, out of place trying to fit in. I have been in situations where I knew I didn't fit as God's person but have said and done things to try to be accepted and approved. As I sought Him, He has always faithfully said, "You don't belong here. I have a place and a space for you to thrive and be who I created you to be." I have experienced the flashy, twinkling, effervescent lights of a "new Christian experience" and have heard His voice penetrating my spirit, "Charlotte, I don't need or want something flashy to get the brief attention of the passers by. I want you to be out there for Me today just by being who I created you to be, yourself." I have experienced finding new and steady light in my life and have heard," Yes! This right and true. Go for it." I have pondered, observed, admired and appreciated more and more the strand of my faith development that has served me all these years ... basic, no baubles, not much glitter, and firmly rooted in the Word. For in Him is my world and my light and the assurance of where I fit. One last thought: neither our icicle lights nor I can function without being plugged into the POWER SOURCE. As we joyfully sing our way toward the Nativity, I think a rousing chorus of
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine!
Let it shine!
Let it shine!
Let it shine! is definitely in order!
Love and Joy,
Char
Char can be reached via email here.
