Even Gnats Cast Shadows
“I thought the most beautiful thing in the world must be shadow.” ― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
I was sitting in my car listening to a favorite podcast while waiting for my daughter to finish her business at the car rental. Her car had been broken into and was in the shop, so I drove her to Enterprise. I was absently staring at my dashboard when suddenly I realized that a gnat flitting around outside my window had cast its shadow on that same dashboard. Hmph…
How could something so minute actually cast a… shadow? I’ll talk about that later on.
Everyone is busy now that spring has finally arrived. So much to do in the yard. Each little task completed is indeed satisfying. Joy is in the air because smelling the microorganisms found in the soil lights up our neurotransmitters and releases serotonin. If we take a big gulp of visual refreshment, we notice the colors and fragrances of the flowers; the flitting and fluttering of the butterflies and bees; expansive yards of green grass; the stunning blue skies and flirty clouds- we can’t be anything but joyful!
So much junk to clear out of the garage. Deciding what you keep, what to trash, what to give away. Many people enjoy creating a Garage Sale! I finally got my mind set to get lawn furniture, Amazon boxes, and JUNK out of the garage. My neighbor has seven sons! I made arrangements with Braedon to work with me on the heavy stuff. The day came, and he wasn’t around. The doorbell rang, and standing there was another brother- Eli. Eli is nine years old and four feet tall. “I will work for you, Miss Judy,” he said.
I was skeptical, but once we got going, he proved his strength in the heavy lifting and ingenuity when we had a couple of snafus to solve. Small but mighty. That’s Eli. I noticed his shadow.
Mark 12:41-44 tells the story of Jesus observing the giving of offerings. The wealthy givers pridefully gave from their great wealth. Then Jesus noticed 42 …a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” As the diverse group of givers left and walked into the sunshine, I bet the poor, nameless widow was the only one casting a shadow. Her shadow was tall.
We know that shadows only appear when there is a “thing” that gets between the light source and where it lands. Shadows are cast from substance! Though the “thing” be small, even as teensy as a gnat, it will cast a shadow. Metaphorically, the smallest yet giving deeds you do, cast a shadow on someone proving they have been touched by “someone.” Those who perpetrate empty and evil acts don’t reveal a shadow. Their deeds are empty and void of substance.
Pay attention to the little things. Pay attention to the shadows.
“Let’s all appreciate little things. Shall we?”
I love this post! Your shadow provides shade, encouragement and comfort to me and many others as you. Thank you for sharing words the Spirit gives you.