By: Carissa Lovvorn
Two years ago, I wrote the first Carissa’s Corner piece, titled Let Your Light Shine. In that article, I reflected on how, through God’s strength, we can persevere even when we’re hard-pressed on every side. I invited readers to look beyond the negativity, hum the tune of “This Little Light of Mine”, and let their light shine for Him. Oh, how much I’ve learned and experienced since writing that first piece! Writing this column has encouraged me to see the world from a unique perspective and notice the small connections that often go overlooked.
I recently witnessed two beautiful examples of what it truly means to let your light shine in the midst of trials. Through these examples, the bright colors yellow and gold have taken on a special meaning in my heart.
On October 14, I woke up to notifications that two young souls had left this world. One was the daughter of a close friend whose long and recurring battle with cancer had come to an end. The other was my young cousin’s wife, who passed suddenly after a month-long fight with an acute form of leukemia. Twenty-three and thirty-three. Their lives had just begun.
The color gold has long represented childhood cancer awareness. It is recognized around the world and stands for the most precious thing in our lives—our children. Over the years, I’ve watched my friend stand beside her daughter through countless hours of treatment, even while undergoing her own. Instead of being consumed by sadness in the days leading up to her daughter’s passing, she chose to focus on how she could honor her child by raising awareness of childhood cancer.
Over the last couple of months, the color yellow filled my social media feed as I watched family members, students, schools, and an entire community rally around a young teacher during her intense hospitalization and ongoing cancer treatments. Even while hooked up to an IV, she praised God through the pain, recording videos from her hospital room. She continued to shine her light by meeting with her preschool class over Zoom for story time. Her testimony was and still is a shining example of love, strength, and faith which continues to encourage and lead others to Christ.
I noticed something while attending both funerals. Instead of traditional black, the prominent colors displayed and worn by those in attendance were gold and yellow, a true testament to the lives they each lived and the light they wanted to pass on to others. These colors stood out as beacons of hope during dark and sorrowful times.
When we place our faith and hope in our Savior, we can expect to have this kind of impact on the world. Jesus instructs His followers to walk as children of the light and to shine so that others may see and glorify God.
Once again, I encourage you to shine your light for the world to see. You may never fully know how much of an impact you will have on others.
Blessings,
Carissa Lovvorn
#faithlikelesley #childhoodcancerawareness
