Light a Candle

Having faith & strength to pray for a friend or acquaintance you see every once in a while can be daunting.  Having faith & strength to pray for a family member under your roof who you see hourly can be even more daunting.  As my situation seemed without remedy or relief, the quiet voice of God said to me “Light a candle”.  “But I’m not catholic” was my hasty reply.  “Light a candle & you will learn” came the rejoinder  “What will I learn?” was my quick response. “Just light a candle & you WILL learn” So, I cleared a space on my dresser & laid down a white silk runner to more or less cordon off a spot.  Next I searched out 2 pillar candles and 2 oversized sturdy candle plates (assumed God wanted to teach me something other than fire safety!!) With a single prayer in mind for each of my two children, I lit the candles simultaneously & awaited instant enlightenment.  Complete silence ensued.  Not a thing except my stomach gurgling & the cat meowing..  However over the next few weeks, I came to understand many things.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! Although I am not always with it, the flame continues to burn.  Likewise, when I am sleeping or otherwise occupied, my prayer still burns bright at the throne of God.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! Walking into the room which is dark save for two candles, I see that a tiny light (small morsel of faith) goes a long way in the pitch dark (time of helplessness).                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! Watching the candles change shape as they burn and melt down, I see that our bodies/characters change as the fire of tribulation touches them.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! Whilst going to put up new candles to replace the almost used up ones, I am admonished to let each candle burn out on it’s own.  God can make shine the end part of our lives or the parts we consider value-less.  God has use for ALL of our lives.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! The warmth generated by the candle cannot be seen, and reminds me that likewise there are aspects of my prayer requests that I cannot see.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! The candle growing smaller and smaller due to the flame shows me that my problem grows smaller and smaller as I expose it to the flame of faith.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! The irregular, unpredictable shape of each candle as it burns shows me that while we may all look similar on the surface, if we allow ourselves to be exposed to the light of God, we will all be made different.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! I observe that as the candle, a solid mass, is exposed to the flame, it loses shape and size, looking in the end, smaller, lighter and completely changed.  Likewise, our burden can be lifted, changed and lessened when exposed to the flame of faith.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee!  I notice that the scent of the candle clings to my garment and goes with me.  Likewise, God’s unseen arms hug me even when I depart.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! I notice that when I am still and quiet, I can her the candle crackle, sizzle and pop, as the wick diminishes and the wax melts. It continuously makes noises even if I am too distant or too busy to hear it.  Likewise, God’s voice can be found in quiet places and he is always speaking to us.  Whether or not we hear is our choice.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! I find that one tiny flame can light innumerable other wicks.  One light of faith can ignite the faith of many lives.  Let your light shine.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee! Family and guests remark on and inquire about the lit candles.  Like candles, our faith shining in our daily lifestyle will draw others to us.                         Lord hear my prayer…&                         let my cry come unto Thee!