Sometimes it takes getting away to help us think; contemplate. Where we are, what we want, what we may be missing, or what we are thankful for, and the memories we are making. But whatever is on our minds, we certainly can think better if you get in a place where the noise of the world is far from us.
This last weekend, I was in such a place…our Cabins on Big River. As my grandson was the fire attendant, he thought the embers were so low at one point that fire was out, so he spread the coals around a bit to allow it to go out. Since we wanted to continue to use the fire, I used the bellows and gave wind to the embers and watched as the coals became flames, and the flames became a bigger fire once again. He was quite surprised!
I thought it was a good example of our life, and so with a teachable moment, I told Ethan a story… “Life is kind of like that Ethan. It make look like there is no hope in sight. Nothing is going right, there is a lot of stress, sometimes hurt feelings in the process. We may have lost something important to us. It can feel just like this fire that you thought was going out. But when the bellows gave wind to the embers, they became coals of fire, and then became flames once again. In my case, it is God who gives wind to the embers. He helps me see the good. Encourages me to have faith. It may also be a friend who calls or texts at the right time to encourage me. Or, it can be someone who comes my way and for whatever reason, is led to help me. It is kind of like your dad’s car situation. God worked out something for you both that you weren’t expecting. That person gave wind to what seemed like a dead situation. So when things look grim, and you see no light at the end of the tunnel, let the winds around you give your heart a little firing up. Fan the flame of hope for something better to come along. God IS faithful to me, and He will be faithful to you. He wants us to trust Him completely.”
It is always such a joy to me when God gives such profound wisdom over the simplest of things…but then He always does. He WANTS us to understand. It IS simple. We just need to allow it to breathe life back into us. I think Ethan got the message too. At least that is my hope.
How about you? Where do you need God to breathe wind into your life to fan the flame of your heart? Ask Him. He wants to do that; just as He breathed life in the beginning, He wants to do that again in you. Will you let Him? Will you close off the world’s noise to get quiet and lean in to Him? Let that wash over you. Just like a fresh stream of water you can sit by, let the trickle and rolling of the water refresh your soul.
Until next time,
~JoAnn
You see, my family were the care takers of that very cemetery all the time I was growing up and even after that for a while. We did the mowing and trimming of the lawn, disposed of dead flowers, set flowers back up when they had fallen over, watered them, and brushed off the stones of all in the sweet people on the hill. So it seemed right to now be there with my boys and grandson to do the same for a couple that had done this for years; my parents. Flags were flying proudly on the gravesite of those who served. As we all met up, God gave me a glimpse in a moment in time to notice…my boys coming from their homes, traveling the distance in bad traffic just to meet up with us to help clean and trim out everything in honor of their grandparents. As I watched their interaction with each other, greeting each other with a hand shake and then doing the same when my brother came to meet up at my folks gravesite, it made me smile. The respect shown to one another was something that just tickled me as their mom. Oh how I wish my folks could have experienced this part of the kids’ journey and watched the kind of people they have grown to be. I was proud of the way I was brought up, of the way that I had raised my boys, and how God kept us all safe and still together. For a mom with more days behind her than before her, it was very special moment for me to see once again, the faithfulness of God. My life may not turn out how I expected it to years ago, but it is great none the less! My boys would do what ever is possible for each other…and as a family, we would do the same. We all paid honor to our family, and then spent some time together over food before we went home. What a joy! Thank you to my sweet son Jesse, who bought us all a burger! Those sweet times are what it is all about! It was also a legacy for my grandson to see his dad and uncle and Grandma and Papa showing respect to the memory of family. This is what “being in the present moment” is all about. I could have just missed it, but God nudged me just in time to see it through His eyes. That made me smile and feel so proud of them! Maybe it was just to encourage me… I think so. I’m so grateful. I’m thinking my parents were glad to see us gathered too…the gift of presence.
My hubby and I then went on to honor family on my dad’s side. One was my Grandma, my dad’s mom, who died a year or less after I was born. I had a different kind of
conversation with her this time because I had been where she came from in Norway. I have learned some things about her life that brought me closer to knowing who she was. There were also some of my family with just tiny tin plaques that I prayed, that if I had the money in the future, I will put a nice stone in its place. I know my dad wanted to do that, and maybe God will allow me to do that one day instead. The memories flood my soul as I walked around. Good family times of sharing and helping each other. We were raised in community a lot more as I was growing up. Family helping family when needed. It brings me back to the thought of what I want to be remembered for…what I hope people will remember about my life and focus. It’s not over yet, so there is work to be done. There are gatherings to be had, and reunions to plan, food to be shared, and love to be given.
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