Light Socket Love

When I still lived in my parents’ home and would wake up with crazy hair, my mom would sometimes say to me, “You look like you stuck your finger in a light socket.” It was that frenzied-ly unkempt, Einstein-eque look she was referring to.

But it got me to thinking…what if our countenance looks like we’ve stuck our finger in a light socket? We’ve all seen it—that rather dazed, borderline panicky expression that says things are not quite right—too much stress, too many unfortunate events, or even tragedies have probably contributed to this look. It’s a look that says I’m holding it together…but barely. This person has been through so much, he or she doesn’t know what to do next—or in many cases even how to feel.

As one who can only mask emotions for so long, I’ve worn this look before. It can be scary to onlookers—they may be afraid to approach the frazzled individual, unsure of the response they will get. But this person needs to be approached, in love. He or she needs to be reassured that everything will be okay, that God remains faithful and true, that support of loving brothers and sisters is available and will be given freely.

Sometimes getting to the “light socket” stage means one is in a bit of shock. Life has been turned upside-down somehow, and it’s hard to put one foot in front of the other. If you think of it in terms of the natural equivalent, putting one’s finger in a light socket would generally result in a shock, leaving one feeling unsettlingly tingly and perhaps a bit unsteady. There might even be pain involved. The person experiences not only the physical shock but the mental surprise as well—‘whoa, how did that happen? I was not expecting that.’

For the brother or sister who’s struggling in the realm of after-shock, the spirit has been affected. And the mind is no doubt reeling. He or she may be asking lots of questions, feeling a myriad of un-sortable emotions, and feeling unable to ask for any kind of help. After all, a person in shock doesn’t know what to ask for and is somewhat disoriented.

You may not have experienced precisely what this member of the Body of Christ has been through or is going through, but you are members of one body. So reach out. It’s too late to say “Don’t stick your finger in the light socket.” The damage has been done. Healing is needed. And the love of God brings healing. It can shed light on the darkest places in someone’s heart—where the shock of life has flipped the breaker, and the hope of the Lord needs to be re-lit.

Whether you fall into the category of “friend” or of “brother,” love is the key. “A  friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17

The time to come to a brother’s or sister’s aid is when the effects of the “light socket” are being experienced, not after a recovery has been made on his or her own. It’s during the trial. “Carry [share, bear] each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2. And the law of Christ is to love—it is the greatest commandment.

Be sensitive the Holy Spirit. Whose finger just came out of the light socket—or is still in it?—help them to safety through the love first given to you through our Lord Jesus Christ.