My friend Judy has a dream about houses with yellow doors.
She longs to create a tiny community of cottages for young adults with special needs like her son. A place for him to live, thrive and call his own. Even though he cannot speak and is legally blind, his ability to savor everything and flourish in life is the stuff of legend.
Judy imagines a home for her son with a yellow door because she says it represents the light within. Because her son can't speak, yet radiates a profound joy, the yellow doored home is the visual reminder for the light he carries inside. When I asked her why it was important to her for her son to have his own place, I'll never forget her words.
"I believe there will come a time when I am not going to always be the best thing for my son," she said.
As a parent to adult children, if I'm honest, I would selfishly admit at times I want to be the best thing for them. Even though I know this is about my ego, Judy's words ring true. As I am learning to release my plans, I make space for something better. When I can remember the light within, I can trust God has greater plans for me and for my loved ones.
Even though I don't have a home with a yellow door, I think about the light in me. I wonder what sort of light I reflect. Can people see the God in me and that He is the source of the joy I carry inside? I want to be like the light that Matthew 5 talks about.
Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (NIV)
Together, let's keep a lookout for yellow doors. Not only for my friend Judy's dream, but to remind us we all have the opportunity to share the light radiating within.
We can all share yellow-doored attitudes
for a world that so desperately needs the light and love of Christ.