Read Ephesians 5:8-11
“That’s Mr. Smith’s daughter” says the elderly neighbor pointing at me, a child walking down the street in my neighborhood. This also happened at family reunions. “That’s Bessie’s daughter. She’s the youngest” says a distant relative whom I didn’t know. How did they know who I was? As a child, I wondered how people connected me with my parents.
Herbert and Bessie Smith were my parents and leaders in our community on the South Side of Chicago. They were officers in the neighborhood block club and met with the Alderman often to discuss the needs of the community. They would hold block club meetings in our basement. Relatives and neighbors knew that they could always reach out to my parents if they needed help. My parents were a team. They taught my siblings and I, through words and actions, the importance of loving our family, helping our neighbors, being generous, and standing up for what was right. Many of my values and beliefs that I hold today came from my parents. These are things that make me a Smith.
The Scripture for today says that anyone who has accepted Christ as their Savior is a child of the light (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-18; Romans 10:9). Before the decision to follow Christ, we were all children of darkness. The author encourages us to live as children of the light. To me, this means to live as a child of God, living as if you are part of God’s family. My behavior should reflect what I learned from my Father in heaven. But for what purpose? Matthew 5:16 states “…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” When our actions glorify God, this may provide an opportunity to share with others the reason for our hope and faith (1 Peter 3:15-16).
My parents passed away years ago and I miss them. Today, when some distant relative says, “You must be Herbert and Bessie’s child”, I fondly say yes. I am part of the Smith family. I pray that I represent them well.
For reflection:
- How is your life different now that you are a child of the light?
- What does it mean to you to be part of God’s family? How is that identity obvious to others?
by Phyllis Richards
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