Good morning…
Before we say, “Come, Holy Spirit, come. Set this autumn season ablaze,” we prepare our calendar like we build a campfire.
Exploring the forest floor, we calmly collect firewood, piece by piece. Just enough for us to carry with our own bare hands, we gather armloads of possibility, trip by trip. Resting beside the fire circle, we break into manageable segments our selected sticks. Nearby we sort and stack piles of kindling – small, medium, big. Then within the inner circle, we consciously construct a sturdy A-frame base. Laying the foundation of our top priorities, one thick log angles in from left to touch the tip of another thick log angling in from the right. A third chosen log is laid horizontally on top. This wooden crossbar is lifted above the ground, creating space beneath for fire to breathe, offering a place to rest our tiniest row of sticks, brief minutes generously given to fuel the fullness of fall days.
When the moment is just right, God will send a living flame. As time quietly catches fire, we will instinctively reach for our larger logs, gently laying them down as needed, hour after hour. Mesmerizing, fertile flames will burn quickly through our days. Each new morning, we will whisk away old ashes to fan the red hot embers with the power of our breath. Week by week, this autumn will be set ablaze. The cool season ahead will mysteriously burn away, right before our smoke-filled eyes.
But first, in the quiet of this sacred time, we prayerfully ponder our calendar like we are building a campfire.
Teach us to realize how short our lives are. Then our hearts will become wise (Psalm 90:12, NIRV).
…Sue…
