Shining A Unique Light by Manndi Wilkins
On our recent trip home from Colorado, there was no way to get to Missouri without going through Kansas. I used to dread the long hours of flat plains and feed lots. My grandma always said: “Kansas has a beauty of her own.”. The older I get, the more I see what my wise Grandmother was talking about.
Endless fields of wheat blowing in the wind. Rolling hills of soft grass with cattle appearing so free and easy, like an old-school country music song. A vast horizon with no buildings, businesses, and people in sight. Kansas is a sea of fertile soil, long swaying grass without limits, and fields of delightful sunflowers. A landlocked adventure of simplicity, cleanliness, and undisturbed miles of dancing crops as far as the eye can see.
As I was dissecting my newfound love for the currently dormant sunflower state, I noticed the sun was sinking low over the horizon. I excitedly turned to my new husband and asked if he would mind pulling over so I could take a picture of the breathtaking sunset. He agreed but said we needed to give it a few minutes because the sun was not at its peak setting position.
We continued our journey. Me, anxiously awaiting the perfect time for the perfect picture; and him, trying to gain as much momentum on our journey across Kansas as possible in the early dusk of the quickly darkening evening.
Finally, I abandoned my sunset picture as it simply was not offering a spectacular view. Somewhat downhearted, I turned from the far west direction of the underwhelming setting sun back toward the direction in which we traveled, due east, toward the Show Me State, my Missouri. What to my wondering eyes should appear, but the most vibrant, spectacular, amazing sky of bright pink, purple, indigo, and light blue I have ever been blessed to behold.
Surprised by the fact that the sunset was a far less appealing sight than the reflection of her rays in the absolute opposite direction, I tried to make sense of this inexplicably glorious sight. The reflection of the sun’s rays was far more powerful and vibrantly beautiful than the actual sun itself.
Do you ever feel less than when it comes to what you provide to others? The drab co-worker that offers little to the morning water cooler conversation. The fair-weather friend that constantly drops the ball. The imperfect parent that cannot seem to step into the role she felt sure she was born to fulfill. The weary wife that struggles to connect with her absent husband. The teacher that cannot seem to engage his students. The coach that is facing another losing season. The preacher whose church is declining rapidly…
The thing is, whether you are a stunning, glowing ball of a fiery sunset, or a dreary, less-than-colorful romantic glow, your reflection is more brilliant than you know. Your essence, your character, your intention, and your heart. God sees these things, and more often than not, others on your life path see them as well.
You may feel like a boring old colorless sunset, but chances are great that the reflection you cast toward others you encounter is a fiery ball of glowing passion and brilliant colorful warmth that draws others to you, even if you do not recognize it.
The sun is a brilliant star. But even she steps aside at times to allow a reflection of her essence to take center stage. No matter your current season, shining brilliantly or fading out of the limelight, the reflection you cast may just be another’s glory, saving grace, and inexplicable delight.