Carol Condon
carolcondon5@aol.com
Our calendar was looking like a doodle pad. Each day was scheduled and some days were over scheduled. It would have been nice to have had a "holiday administrator" who would have handed out a detailed schedule each morning. However, since we didn't have one, most days resulted in chaos, but even chaos when it includes family is fun.
One thing that I was looking forward to was the Christmas Party at our home. There were tasks that needed done in order to make the evening a success. These tasks included everything from grocery store runs and house cleaning to cooking and giving the dog a bath. Once these were completed and we had made a fire in the fire place and lit the candles we were ready for our guests.
It was such a special night. The stories, laughter and singing made the work of the day so worth it. Once everyone had left I began picking up the remnants of the party. I had turned off most of the lights leaving the fireplace and candles lit bringing a soft glow to the room as I reminisced of our successful evening. As I finished cleaning the last dish I went to blow out the candles. I simply placed a lid on each one. I watched as the flame gradually dimmed until it no longer flickered. The realization hit me that the flame was silenced until someone took the time to light again.
I began to think of all the people God had trusted to my leadership. Did I ever try to smother their flame? Were they full of ideas that were uncomfortable for me or a little too far out of my comfort zone resulting in me placing a lid on them? Just as a candle will sit and never shine until someone reaches out to light it so will those who have had their flame silenced. What if we began looking for the people who are bent over with the heaviness of life, unfulfilled dreams, hurts of the past, hurts of the present, or the over zealous spirit that has been squashed and we lifted them up with a kind word or deed allowing them to shine again? Do they have the strength within themselves to get back up or are they waiting for you or me?
"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad."
Proverbs 12:25 KJV
As usual, another great and inspiring story that touches all of us! Love you, my dear, as only I can.
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