Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Dear God,

We tried twice to start a bonfire; each time it fizzled. We had to ask our fireman neighbor to help get it started. At first it was just a few branches of our nearly 10' tall woods debris. But then when it took hold, it became a raging fire.
I think that was what Oprah was talking about today on her final show, a raging fire. She began her finale by saying her success was due to your amazing grace. When she ended it, she simply said, "To God be the glory." To begin with amazing grace and move to God be the glory is to point to a raging fire.

I am so thankful to people who spark a fire in others. At times I have been too low to start a fire in myself. But others came along with their own light and shined it on me. I took a little spark and my own life and faith became a raging fire. When the light of my marriage went out for my husband and me and we separated, we too couldn't find even a spark. But then thousands of prayers went up for us and the wind of your fire spread to us and suddenly we were lit up with the divine fire of your spirit. I've watched it happen to many others.

As I ponder the wonder of your spirit fire, I feel a sense of power to do what I could not do without it. I believe I really can do all things with your help. I can be a better person, woman, wife, mother, grandmother, and pastor. I can create environments where others can begin to dream their own potential and step into the future with the hand of some blessed other willing to share their gospel fire.

As I gave thanks for Eric, our neighbor fireman and for Oprah, a talk show host with faith, I remembered once again that your divine light is always aglow.

Loving God,
thank you
for your light,
for the fire
of your spirit.
Thank you
for a
single spark
that can create
a radiant fire.
Burn within me,
O Lord,
I pray.

Love, Andrea