Accept the Light of the World
Linda Booth of Lee’s Summit, MO, USA
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” -John 3:16-17
My father, Ernest Ledsworth, served as a seventy for nearly 70 years. His vibrant testimony and compassionate spirit brought many to Christ. The last year of his life was extremely difficult for Daddy and our family. He lived in a memory-care unit, while my mother lived in the skilled-nursing unit on the same senior-citizen campus.
As often as we could, my brother, sister, and I would roll Mom in her wheelchair to the memory-care unit so she could get her kisses from Daddy. Often when we visited, Daddy wasn’t aware of our presence. He often was agitated, repeating over and over a specific question like, “Where did I park the car?” “Where did they put my shoes?” “Is it time to go to church?”
One hot, sultry afternoon when I pushed Mom’s wheelchair beside Daddy’s wheelchair, he looked at me with clarity and said, “Linda, did you know that God so loved the world?”
“Yes, Daddy,” I replied. “That’s one of my favorite scriptures. I try to weave it into every sermon I give.”
“No, Linda! Did you know that God so loved the world?” No matter what I said to calm him, his agitation grew as he asked the same question: “Linda, did you know that God so loved the world?”
Finally, he smiled that sweet smile that we hadn’t seen for a very long time and calmly said, “Linda. God so loved the world that he gave us his Son. Isn’t it marvelous?”
“Yes, Daddy,” I said. “It is truly marvelous.”
“It is, isn’t it,” he replied. “You better make sure that you tell everyone!”
In that lucid moment, my father reminded me again that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
Several weeks later, our beloved father died. I still miss him. However, that last precious conversation continues to remind me of God’s great love for all people and our calling to share the “marvelous” news of Jesus Christ.
Prayer Phrase
Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?
Spiritual Practice
Gospel Contemplation (John 2:13-22)
Each week during Lent, you are invited to pray with a different gospel story from the life of Christ. Use your senses and imagination to enter the text. Allow it to come to life in you, observing details, noticing interactions, even engaging in dialogue. Notice where you find yourself in the story and how you feel about what is happening. Notice what it evokes in you or invites of you. Take time to journal or enter silent prayer to reflect on your experience and to sense where the Spirit may be leading you through this scriptural encounter.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
