GLEANINGS: Love of Christ shines a bright light

The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong,and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail.Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. – Isaiah 58:11-12 I have loved being a part of the restoration efforts in Unicoi County since Hurricane Helene. Seeing the community come together for our neighbors, watching compassion triumph over complacency, kindness win out over anxiety and cooperation continuing to eliminate fear has cast a shining light throughout Unicoi County. Of course, I visualize that as the Light of Christ enveloping us! And growing brighter! It was just a few days ago that a significant (expected) snow/ice event and freezing temperatures moved into our area. And what happened? A warming shelter! Thank you to all who gave their time, efforts and funds to make this happen. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."– Matthew 22: 36-40 ••• The Rev. Linda W. Rozar is the pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church in Erwin.