– Monday Muse –
Dear One, on the Woodsy Patio, at the edge of the woods, we have a broken-down, fire ring. The patio has a name because we have three of them. The Woodsy Patio, fire ring and surroundings need some work, well quite a bit of work; so I have been ignoring it. We haven’t had a campfire there yet this summer. The firewood is ready, stacked and dry. There could be a blaze in just a few minutes, but the fire ring remains neglected, as if it is a campsite ‘closed for the season.’
In this age it is far too easy to remain busy the-entire-summer with the ordinary things of life…and its never shrinking, ever growing to-do list. And before we realize it, it is too late to engage in the fleeting delights of a northern Michigan summer. On my part, it is such poor planning…for although our winters are beautiful…they are long and cold; the exquisite time one can spend outdoors during that time is, out of necessity, brief.
Just a few weeks ago, Ron and I found ourselves visiting family at a state campground site where we casually sat around a campfire. Flickering light, penetrating warmth, and quiet, lazy conversation drew forth mesmerizing tranquility, and a captivating sense of timelessness. As the sun slid beneath the horizon, and darkness encircled us – all eyes heedlessly rested upon the waltzing blaze. Could anyone be more relaxed than this? To achieve this state of being, people pay thousands of dollars for get-away-from-it-all vacations – when all it takes, apparently, is some wood and a match.
As I sunk deeper and deeper into the moment, I could not help but think of the similarity between it, and that of lingering with God. God and His Word being the light, His love the warmth, His guidance the conversation, His presence timeless – the moment captivating. The contrast – the fire would die out, while the Light of God would burn eternal. As evenings do, it quietly came to an end…another similarity…quiet, but memorable.
A few days later, Ron and I went to Menards, Lowes, and Home Depot in search of a new fire ring, and I added graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate candy bars to our grocery list.
“He who follows Me (Jesus) shall not walk in
darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
Blessings,
Susanne
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