Lighthouses

Have you ever been strolling along the shoreline of one of your favorite beaches or driving down a coastal highway and catch glimpse of a large object looming high above the shore peering down on those below?  Maybe you have and maybe you haven’t.  But if you have happened to catch glimpse of it, you’re likely looking at a majestic lighthouse. 

Lighthouses comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, patterns and even locations.  Mostly, you will find them adorning a coastline or leading in to a port; however, there are some that align larger rivers that feed in to sounds, bays or even the ocean.  Nonetheless, no matter the size, design or location, the lighthouses always serve one vital purpose – they are beacons in the night.

For years, lighthouses have lit up the night sky along our coastlines guiding and aiding ships in their navigation.  Sometimes, lighthouses have aided in lost and wandering ships providing a rescue or a warning that land was ahead and to be alert.  Other times, lighthouses are have served as a reminder to the ship captains of which route they need to take to head in to dock or continue on their journey.  Nowadays, with the advancements in technology, lighthouses are not utilized as much as they used to be, which in some ways is rather sad.  You still see them adorning the coastlines, but now are mainly tourist attractions rather than navigational aids. 

I have been fortunate to see a variety of lighthouses scattered along the Eastern United States coastline.  Each one is unique in its own right and holds special meaning to me.  Each time I stand and peer upwards at the gigantic beacon, I am reminded not only of the importance of the actual lighthouse and how it has served as a beacon for many a ship, but it also makes me realize that our own personal lives can serve as a lighthouse or a beacon for someone else.  We may not have people stand and peer at us, but nonetheless, we have the capability to aid and guide many a soul that we encounter along our path.  It may not be a physical or direct contact, but it could be an impression that is left behind by something we may have done.  Either way, it should make us more conscience of what we do, as we should all strive to want to be a lighthouse to someone else and leave a favored impression upon them.

This summer, while you are out and about exploring, take a trek to your coastline and see if you can spot and lighthouse or two.  If you have time, give it a tour and even climb to the top.  But take a moment to think of the history behind these powerful beacons and remember that you too have the power to be a beacon in someone else’s night, as well.  Help light up the darkness in someone else’s life, and help light up the world!