November has arrived, and here in Massachusetts, that means the air is getting colder, the nights longer, and the pace of life somehow even faster. As the days grow shorter, it feels like they’re slipping through our fingers. Once Halloween is behind us, it’s a whirlwind—go, go, go—straight through to New Year’s.
For me, with kids in tow, the rush feels even more intense. Between shuttling them to their various activities and keeping up with appointments, I sometimes catch myself wondering where the week disappeared to. On rare, quiet weekends, when I finally open my planner, it’s like the days have evaporated.
But then comes Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays and I like to plan it out, making it special for the whole family. I need time for that. On one of my many errands this week I passed a restaurant advertising a cooked dinner to go. For a second there, I was tempted. But cooking is one of the ways I care for my family, one that I enjoy. It’s a bright light when the days are getting dark.
When I was little, the phrase “be salt and light in the world” (Matthew 5:13-16) used to puzzle me. My child’s mind conjured up saltshakers and clay lamps, and I couldn’t see the connection. But after years of gray winters and unseasoned food, the meaning couldn’t be clearer. The world is a hard, dark place at times, and we’re called to brighten it with the good news of Jesus Christ, sharing His love through how we serve others. The love of God is meant to shine through us like a beacon.
Of course, that’s easier said than done. Life asks so much of us already, and it’s easy to feel weighed down. But as 1 Corinthians 12 reminds us, we’re part of one body. We’re not in this alone. We can lift each other up when the burdens get heavy. A friend recently reminded me of a simple truth: when you’re exhausted, it’s okay to let others step in and serve you. Even in the chaos of running errands or checking off tasks at work, your light can shine in the small things.
And here’s the beautiful part: God doesn’t ask us to save the world. That work was finished through Jesus Christ. Our role is to lead others to His light, pointing them toward His love and salvation.
So, this Thanksgiving, let your light shine—whether that means gathering around the table and telling your family how much they mean to you, or pouring your heart into preparing a feast. Whatever it, shine bright and let the light of others dispel the darkness for you too.
Christa MacDonald is a 2017 Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction. She began her writing career at the age of eleven, filling a sketchbook with poems and short stories. After publishing a few short pieces in her college’s literary magazine she took a long hiatus during which she embarked on a few different careers, got married, had three kids, and renovated an old barn masquerading as a house. kids, and renovated an old barn masquerading as a house. The Broken Trail, published by Mountain Brook Ink, was her debut novel. At The Crossroad and The Redemption Road completed the Sweet River Redemption series. The first two books are available on Audiobook.
Katherine Grant takes the job at Sweet River Christian Academy hoping a small town in the wilderness of Maine will be a vacation from her high-powered career and a break from the emotional toll of the secrets she has buried deep. With the school director on a power trip and evidence of shady dealings, there’s nothing relaxing about it. Maybe it would be easier if she wasn’t so distracted by Captain MacAlister, the local cop she can’t get along with, yet can’t get out of her head. She didn’t trek up to the middle of nowhere to lose her heart.
Mac doesn’t need the kind of trouble he believes Katherine will bring. He’s got enough to deal with from poachers to drug crime. Mac has rules to maintain his faith, like avoiding the pull of an attractive woman who doesn’t fit his life. But when he meets Katherine, he’s drawn in by her intelligence and strength, despite getting burned by her quick temper.
When near tragedy strikes, Katherine reveals her feelings, and Mac doesn’t hesitate to respond. If only their scars, both seen and unseen, didn’t threaten to tear them apart. Two wary hearts must soften and two steel wills bend if they have any hope of making it down the broken trail to love.
