Stay in the fire
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You never know when something you say will stick with your children.
Tonight we did a fire in the backyard with our children and as I saw the embers floating up into the sky, I was reminded and shared with my children something my father shared with me when I was a young man on a camping trip.
He observed that all the embers go out. Some make it only a few feet before they cease glowing, others make it higher but eventually, every ember that leaves the fire stops glowing.
My father then related this to remaining in the fire of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He said that some people choose to leave, thinking they can make it on their own without Jesus Christ, his gospel and restored church. He went on to say that if we wanted to remain a glowing ember, we needed to stay in the fire.
I always joke with people that there are no perfect analogies, even the parables could be picked apart if you wanted to. But analogies help us to think, understand and apply important truths.
I believe my father was right. Often in my life when I have felt the warmth and glow leave my life, it has often been because I have deliberately or inadvertently left the fire. I have relaxed or ceased on fundamental things, I have allowed pride, doubt or fear to grow.
I have yet to meet anyone who has chosen to let their faith in Christ dwindle and disappear who I believe is better off for it. Faith certainly isn’t easy, nor is belief.
There is another lesson to be learned here. My father was sharing this thought to a group of probably 40 other young men. I just happened to be one of them. He didn’t sit me down and try to teach me a lesson. He was just sharing an insight at the right time and place and it stuck to me like glue.
We need to keep sharing and teaching in natural and casual ways because we never know when what we say will make a difference in the lives of our children.
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Great post, and great analogy.