I was talking with a friend tonight and a quote that I had once

read came to mind. It was about five years ago when I was

sitting in the lobby of a couseling center that a framed

cross stitch caught my eye. I can't remember the exact quote

but it went something like this....

A stain glass window can't shine unless...there is darkness all

around...and the light that makes it glow has to come from

within.

That quote carried some heavy impact on me in those days

and it still does today.

As a sat there later on thinking about it I remembered

another set of stain glass windows. The former church I

was attending had a sanctuary surrounded by such windows.

However, I never knew it until the church caught on fire.

The people started talking about rebuilding and about how

they wish they could put the stain glass windows back. See

they were there all along...but years ago they were boarded

up framed in on the inside and bricked up on the outside....

Tonight thinking back on that it brings thoughts.

How much are "we" like that at times. We are this beautiful

stain glass window that our Creator formed. He sets us in

place... We experience things and we frame up the inside.

Other things happen and we brick in the outside. For

protection? To keep from having to go out? But non-the-

less...what a shame....a beautiful creation hidden. Unable

to do what it was created for. To let the light of the One

who created it to shine through. If it weren't for the Light

the window would have no beauty....

In order for the church to regain the view of the windows...

there were many things they had to go through. The pain

and shock of what had happened. Going through the

remains of the building to see what had been lost. The

worry from the financial strain of rebuilding. Were would

they hold service's until the rebuild...and oh my... the

rebuild. A seeming for ever long process.

To exspose the beauty of who He created us to be is also

a seemingly long rebuilding process. There may be things

we have to loose, things that would have to be torn down

so He can rebuild, allowing Him to put on a fresh new coat

of paint within the walls of our hearts.

I know there are many of us who feel we are at the moment

in the dark. It feels like we are just feeling around not to

stumble and fall. The darkness can be so pitch black at

times we feel so afraid and alone but we are not. The

Light is there in us waiting for the right time to shine.

When He does it will be when He will be the only thing

receiving the Glory...not the window or the building it

sets in...the Light. The flame is there and it's lit...I

think it's called Hope. Hold on to the lampstand...