TOP's Tuesday: More Than Candlelight

My office has a beautiful antique shelf in it, one my parents gifted me for Christmas in 2012. To some, it would be used in the dining room to hold one's good china but not me. Mine houses books.

Two of the shelves house writing resource guides, dictionaries, thesauruses, manuals, and other books to help me when writing and to be a better writer. Next to my helper books on the top shelf are proof copies of my books, I think it's good to remember how each book evolves from first proof to final copy. 

On the second shelf, in addition to the books are photos of me with my sister, one with my handsome husband (the one shown here), and one with my parents. On the shelf between these keepsakes are two battery operated candles. I don't leave them lit but on special occasions, I light the one next to my sister's picture.

Around our anniversary as Ed and I talked about going out for dinner or what we should do to celebrate twenty-one years of marriage, one of the candles lit up, the one next to our photo. I smiled and told Ed, Heidi is saying to have fun.

We both laughed and enjoyed the moment before I opened the door to unwind the light bulb and disconnect its connection to the battery. Some will say this was a ghost or Heidi talking to us from the "other side", but we realize I probably hadn't loosened the bulb enough the last time I lit it and when the kitchen shelf busted, it probably jostled even this battery operated candle.

BUT, I do think God uses moments like this to give us encouragement. He is the Ultimate and Only Light. I love my husband so much and our anniversary is such a special day of the year yet sometimes, it also induces a touch of sadness. What do you talk about on your anniversary? Your wedding day, right? As we reflect, remember, and recall the moments of our day...Heidi's name is used often.

She was such a goof and always smiling. This year, I missed that joyous and bubbly personality more than years past. Many tears were shed. Ed called from work to check on me. 

Somehow this he knows when my mind is thinking. While I missed my sister, I also am so thankful to have her presence filling the most important part of my adult life...the day I married Ed. 

While I don't believe it was Heidi's ghost that lit the candle, I do believe God used His light as a reminder of how much He loves me and to remind me...Heidi is always with me, in my heart.

This is Ed and Heidi at our wedding...

For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," 
has made this light shine in our hearts 
so we could know the glory of God 
that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT

What sign of hope and light gives you encouragement? Please share...