I'm not sure when I started this little morning ritual and I don't do it every day. But more mornings than not, I've been silently lighting a candle as I brew my mug of decaf tea and create my heaping bowl of plain non-fat Greek yogurt with berries and uncooked oatmeal ... and yes, chocolate sprinkles.
Don't laugh, it's delicious!
I first began lighting a candle simply because it brightened up the darkness in all the ways that I needed to experience. It smelled good and brought a smile to my face. Slowly I began to notice that it also gave me a bit of hope that all would be well. The gentle flickering and the sweet scent breathed peace and stillness to my rattled soul.
And that was very good medicine indeed.
As time wore on, I began to quietly sing
Holy Spirit, you are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your Glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by your presence, Lord
Now I know that lighting a candle doesn't bring the Holy Spirit into the room. As we trust in Christ alone, the Spirit makes our hearts His home. He comforts and convicts, gives wisdom and grace and everything we need for life and godliness. The luscious fruit of His presence is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control {Galatians 5:22-23}.
More than ever, He is all that we need.
As we focus more on His sustaining presence in our lives, 'the things of earth' begin to take their rightful place. We become less self-absorbed, overwhelmed, rattled, and disappointed. We gain a more heavenly perspective on this roller coaster we call life.
For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is peace. And isn't that what we've been yearning for our whole lives ...
He whispers peace ~
Linda
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