IN TODAY’S LETTER
· The folk-rock icon who found his own worth in helping his friend see
· January giveaway: He Walks With Me devotional by Carol Kent
· New books: The Kitchen Devotional; Angels & Divine Encounters (Guideposts); The Message Women’s Devotional Bible.
I learned a new word this past week: bioluminescence, or “living light.”
In the natural world, this refers to the light produced by living organisms such as fireflies or glowworms. In the world of the spirit, it refers to you, child of Light.
And to Art Garfunkel.
Say what?!
Last week I grumped that 1) I’ve never understood the opening lines of the 1960’s folk hit “The Sound of Silence,” and 2) Darkness has never been my friend.
Wrong on both counts.
There are gifts hidden in the gloom, what the prophet Isaiah called “secret riches.” For the next seven weeks in this series, I’ll be calling those out, just as you helped me last week with dozens of
helpful responses about healthy eating for those of us discouraged about our bodies.
Several of you also alerted me to a true story about Art Garfunkel, one half of the famed folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel—a story straight out of Isaiah 45.
When Arthur Garfunkel was a student at Columbia University in New York, he roomed with a young man named Sanford Greenberg. Bonding over a shared love for music, books, and poetry, Art and Sandy became best friends, vowing to always be there for one another in times of trouble.
Most teenagers aren’t able to keep such vows. Garfunkel and Greenberg did.
Only months into their friendship, Sandy suddenly lost his vision due to a missed diagnosis of glaucoma. It was not to return. As darkness descended, so did depression. Convinced that his dream of becoming a lawyer was impossible, Sandy dropped out of college and returned home to Buffalo, turning away anyone who came to see him.
Until Art Garfunkel showed up, refusing to take no for an answer.
The friends returned together to Columbia. Art became Sandy’s eyes, helping him navigate his way to class, reading his assignments, patching him up when he fell. To identify with Sandy’s loss of vision, Garfunkel dubbed himself “Darkness.”
But he was the one who brought the light.
“Guiding Sandy through New York one day, as they stood in the vast forecourt of bustling Grand Central Station, Garfunkel said that he had to leave for an assignment, abandoning his blind friend alone in the rush-hour crowd, terrified, stumbling and falling.
"I cut my forehead" says Sandy. "I cut my shins. My socks were bloodied. I had my hands out and bumped into a woman's breasts. It was a horrendous feeling of shame and humiliation."I started running forward, knocking over coffee cups and briefcases, and finally I got to the local train to Columbia University. It was the worst couple of hours in my life."
Back on campus, he bumped into a man, who apologized.
"I knew that it was Arthur's voice," says Sandy. "For a moment I was enraged, and then I understood what happened.”
Garfunkel had not abandoned Sandy at the station, but had followed him the entire way home, watching over him.” *
Does that story remind you of anyone?
Yes, Him. The One who is our old friend— the Light in our darkness. The One who is accompanying us all the way home.
And you. The one who is the reflector of that light.
“He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.” John 1:8 NASB
When you come alongside a friend in the pit of their medical challenges or the loneliness of their caregiving, you reflect Light.
When one has had their home destroyed by wind or fire or flood and you give money or food or shelter, you bear witness to the Light.
When you act on that prompting to call or text or stop by, you bring the Light with you.
“If we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other.” 1 John 1: 7 NLT
Sanford Greenberg, former college dropout, went on to become a noted philanthropist, inventor, and presidential advisor because his lifelong friend Arthur Garfunkel, “Darkness,” brought the light with him.
You are bioluminescent, too, dear friend—living Light.
Go out there and shine.
So much love,
Maggie
(c) Maggie Wallem Rowe, 2025
IT’S YOUR TURN When has a friend done something special for you when you needed it most?
JANUARY GIVEAWAY He Walks with Me: Taking the hand of the One who never lets go, by Carol Kent. Many of you have read Carol’s account of the conviction of her only son who was given a life sentence without parole. In this beautiful devotional, Carol shares the encouragement she received from God during the darkest time of her life. Please leave a comment to enter. Winner chosen on Sunday, 1/ 26!
WHAT I’M WRITING Some of you have asked what I’ve been writing lately (other than to you!) I’ve had the privilege of contributing chapters to the following recent and upcoming releases:
The Kitchen Devotional: Readings and Recipes to Feed Your Soul, Nourish Your Faith & Bring Joy to the Table (Revell, 2024)
God’s Constant Presence: Angels & Divine Encounters (Guideposts, 2025)
The Message Women’s Devotional Bible (NavPress, 2025 – coming in August)
(Note:: I’ve linked these titles to their publisher’s sites as it’s less expensive purchasing there than from Amazon!)
