by Lindsey Gregg
As kids, many of us were taught the sweet, simple hymn, “This Little Light of Mine.” There aren’t many things more precious and heartwarming than listening to a child sing about God’s love for us. The words and the tune of “This Little Light Of Mine” are easy and repetitive. As children, it taught us that Jesus loves us so much that he gave us each a special gift, which, whether we realized it or not, offered us confidence and hope. But I learned that the hymn actually offers a wonderful and important message and it turns out it has translated throughout my lifetime.
I had heard and sung that song countless times as a little girl but when I was 18 years old, my classmates and I watched Bishop Michael Curry as he gave the keynote speech at our high school graduation. Back then, he was not yet Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. He came to our small school to offer advice to a group of high school girls about to embark on the world as adults and his entire speech was formulated around “This Little Light Of Mine.” He reminded us of the classic hymn and enthusiastically instructed us to go out into the world as new graduates and let our light shine! However, the additional sentiment he offered was something I’d never really considered- that when we let our light shine, it allows others to do the same. The words were what I had sung for years and the melody hadn’t changed. Bishop Curry’s contagious energy and sincerity offered us a whole new perspective on the song. Until Bishop Curry reframed the song’s message for us as adults, I hadn’t really thought about how that faithful act would impact others.
The fellowship that we experienced at graduation has stayed with me. (If you’re going to start your adult life taking advice from anyone, it doesn’t get much better than Bishop Curry!) Jesus said let my light shine and Bishop Curry helped me learn why. That’s simple enough, right? But suddenly in adulthood, you’re not warmly encouraged by your teachers or surrounded by old friends like a comforting blanket. Now there are bosses and coworkers and new cities and responsibilities. If you’re lucky enough to have figured out how to shine your light, you’re cautiously fumbling around its brightness. There were many great people those first few years in the “real world” who would shine their own light and allow me to do the same. But there were also instances where I felt dimmed. It took time but I finally realized that the shining light was what would point me in the right direction. The people that I needed to surround myself with would let me shine my light and I hoped that, in turn, they would feel comfortable doing the same around me. Letting your light shine is an act of trust between two individuals and faith between us and Jesus. Fellowship didn’t just exist within the walls of a church or during a service. It consistently exists within a community when we shine collectively our lights.
Now, as the parent of a young child, I see how children shine a light everywhere they go. They’re not thinking about why they do it or how that encourages others. They’re learning stories about God and Jesus and songs like “This Little Light of Mine” to teach them about faith and love. As Owen’s mom and dad, my husband and I try to encourage our son to find what he loves and pursue it. It’s my job as his parent to remind him of Jesus’s love for us and encourage him to shine just as the hymn encourages us. And hopefully he and his friends learn by watching us all shine our lights too.
Youth Ministries Coordinator
Children's Ministries Coordinator & Day School Director
Associate Rector
Faith Formation Ministry Co-Chair
Vestry - Class of 2025, Faith Formation Vestry Liaison
