DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
FRIDAY THE 13TH’S LIGHT
© NaimaLett.com/blog
I’m not superstitious…
Neither do I frequent horror films.
So, I’m one of the few who has never seen any 1 of the 12 Friday the 13th movies from 1980 – 2009. They’re horror films starring a mass murderer based on superstition. Not my thing.
But a few years ago, I met one of the franchise’s stars, the incredible Lar Park Lincoln, and today, I count Lar as a dear friend.
Lar played Tina Shepard, a telekinetic, psychic 20-year old who fights off mass murderer Jason in Friday the 13th, Part VII. Again, I haven’t seen it, but I assume Tina beats Jason in the end. After all, the poster reads, “On Friday the 13th, Jason is back. But this time, someone’s waiting.”
Whatever Tina/Lar does to stop Jason, however, is not long term. In the next movie, Friday the 13th Part VIII, Jason Takes Manhattan. The one after that he goes to Hell. I’m not sure why he doesn’t stay, as he would if it were real. But it’s a movie and he’s back for #10.
It’s all very dark, I know.
But I don’t want to dwell on the dark.
I want to talk about the light! Lar’s light!
When you meet Lar, she shines.
Her smile is genuine. Her life is real.
You may remember her roles on Knots Landing, Beverly Hills 90210, Children of the Night, The Princess Academy and Lifetime’s Inspector Mom.
In her new book, Get Started, Not Scammed, Lar describes defining her destiny in elementary school. When asked to write an essay on what she would be, she responded “I will be an actress, a writer, and a teacher.” Her pint-sized classmates laughed, but with a 30+ year career in “The Biz”, Lar can say that she has reached all three of those goals.
I am most proud of Lar for her tenacity. She’s a fighter, and she doesn’t give up. When faced with an obstacle, she figures out another way.
Lar frequently talks about when her precious husband passed from cancer after 14 years of marriage. She didn’t give up. As a single mom, she moved her children from LaLa Land to Texas and raised them beautifully. She also added successful celebrity QVC guest host and talk show extraordinaire to her loaded resume, landing spots on Oprah, Entertainment Tonight and 60 Minutes.
When she battled her own bout with cancer, Lar did what many celebrities wouldn’t do. She talked about it. She shaved her head and took an incredibly inspiring photo. She also donned a sword in a spread for one of famed photographer Mary Ann Halpin’s Fearless Women books.
Having gone through our own journey with cancer, my husband and I personally know that every day doesn’t feel like a fighter’s day, and I’m sure there were days when Lar didn’t feel like a champion. But, she sure was a champion to us.
Lar’s light didn’t dim. She was refreshingly honest. Through ups and downs, she revealed the truth of her life. She revealed her faith in God. Isn’t that what being light is all about?
Jesus describes his disciples as the light of the world. I quote this scripture often when sharing with artists, so many of you may be familiar with it by now.
MATTHEW 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
We see you, Lar.
We see you letting your light and testimony shine before others that they may see all that you do for people and glorify your Father in heaven.
You’re Friday the 13th’s light, friend.
Whenever this day rolls around, once or twice a year (or 3 times like this year), we’ll think of you and thank God for your life and your willingness to shine.
What about us, Fam?
Can we think of ways to let our lights shine this Friday the 13th so that people see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven?
Let’s do it!
Shine, Fam.
Go forth!
Naima
Know anybody who’s letting their light shine?
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