Daily Scripture Reading: Psalm 42; Zechariah 8:1-17; Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34

Advent is coming out of darkness and showing light to others. When I think of Jesus showing light to others I think of the people we are helping in Baton Rouge. Our church is helping people in need like those who have lost all of their things. My small group has adopted three children from Baton Rouge. We are getting things that had lost in the flood that happen there for Christmas. It makes me feel proud of myself for doing this for others. I know they will love what our church has done for them.

—Mary Presley Eifling, age 8

Labor Day 2014 is a day that changed my family’s life forever.

My sister-in-law of over twenty-five years chose to end her life while my parents were visiting during the holiday. My father called me and told me the horrible news which immediately caused a confusing range of emotions....

Why did she do this? What can I do six hours away to help? What am I going to tell my brother when I see him? How am I going to tell my daughter what happened? Could our family have done anything to stop this?

I arose before dawn the next day and traveled east...towards the morning light...

Just knowing I was simply going to be there, I had no idea what emotional situation I was walking into or what I was going to experience. This honestly scared me because of the uncertainty and confusion I was driving towards...into the morning light.

This sunrise was different. Almost golden as I reached the halfway point of my destination. The morning haze and color had a calming effect during the darkness I was now leaving. Then the text messages start expressing sympathies and condolences surrounding this unexpected tragedy began. Concerned phone calls soon helped pass mile after mile getting me closer to my destination. Simple calls from church members and elders stating that they were praying for my family really made a difference and helped settle the feelings of denial and sorrow surrounding my continued drive towards the unknown of death and the known love of family.

MybrotherwasasleepwhenIarrivedathishouse.Whenheemergedfromhisroom,wesimplyembracedwithahug. Very few words were spoken during this time, me being there is what mattered most.

I received more phone calls and text messages from elders and church members. Honestly, few words were probably said during these conversations, but Meadowbrook was there for me during this time. Meadowbrook was shining with every phone notification and Facebook message during this time.

That sunrise was different for my family as well. Although it was not easy and took time, my brother appears to have exited the darkness and embraced the light of helping others in need and speaking to those that have experienced loss in their lives.

Meadowbrook is my first church family. I have witnessed great things done as church rather than participating at church. I have witnessed members feed the homeless, assist in natural disaster recovery efforts, and supply life-giving to water to third world countries helps me realize that our light shines beyond the walls of the church auditorium. But it also the small actions that help make a lasting impact on those around us. From celebrating births to mourning deaths, our actions as church is humbling and inspiring. Many here act behind the scenes to help others out of love and not out of ego or means of seeking attention. It really is the little things that create big changes in the world. Lights are still shining brightly in this church, in this city, in this country, and beyond.

—Jason Eifling