1 John 2:8

"...because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining..." 
1 John 2:8

I found this verse referenced in my notes from a sermon Dr. Carney preached two summers ago.  Most of my notes are taken in a journal, but this one was on the back of a bulletin stuffed between pages in Psalm.  Maybe we were late that day, or maybe Maggie was taking 'notes' in my journal.  Either way, the notes were tucked in my bible.  I reread the notes and looked up all the verses.  I realized this one verse in particular didn't match any of the sermon notes like the others.  But, the verse felt like a hug around my self-doubts as I read it over and over. 
God continued to speak to me about this specific light.  There are some days I don't check my school mailbox at all, but today it was one of my first stops.  I had two manila envelopes where I usually find emptiness.  One had a flier for a project I had to complete.  The other had a smaller blue envelope.  I opened the envelope to find a surcee and a note.  "I am thankful for you, my friend.  You matter everyday.  Even on your bad days, you manage to leave a positive impact on others.”  Can I shine for others even in my own darkness?  
A few hours later as I was completing the project, a student came in.  She comes frequently.  I had an email in my inbox that she sent five minutes prior, and she came to tell me exactly what was in the email.  Fortunately, I stopped what I was working on to look her in the eye as she was telling me what I already knew, and then ask about her weekend.  In hearing about her weekend, I recognized that she didn't need an answer to her email, she needed someone to listen.  She had a hard weekend making a very mature decision.  I told her I was proud of her and thanked her for coming by.  I returned her email: "Thank you for coming by.  Seeing you lifted my mood and made my day."  It was the truth.  Her response let me know that she needed to matter, and I provided that light. 

1 John 2:8 resurfaced in my heart. I can shine a light for others even if days feel dark.  I'm not in a super mood, but I am thankful that God revealed to me some the work He does through me.  Tomorrow’s goal—allow myself to shine even if I pass through my own darkness.