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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I like the idea of lighting a candle in the morning. It’s a practice I’ve been thinking about adopting as we head into the dark months too.
ReplyDeleteI'm embracing whatever sheds light into the darkness! I knew I wasn't the only one, Linda.
DeleteI'm glad you're here. And I like your name, too ...
;-}
Amen!
ReplyDeleteMiss you, girlfriend ...
DeleteIt's not a candle that I use,
ReplyDeletea Zippo's better, yes, by far
to the morning air infuse
with aroma of cigar.
My choices are the cheaper blends
from the smoke-shop's bargain wall
close your eyes, you can pretend
to be in some South Side pool-hall.
The air turns lovely shade of blue,
and your hand doth whisk the smoke away
to, perhaps, allow you to
tell if it is night or day,
but really, why hold watch’s time so dear
in this smoke-hazed place of cheer?
Um ... I think I prefer my apple or pine scented candles, Andrew. I know you understand.
DeleteBut if the cigar is giving you comfort, who am I to argue?
;-}
Cigars actually do help with both pain and nausea, Linda. They'e a Godsend.
DeleteYes, yes. I'm grateful you have found something that helps you stay afloat, friend. You gotta do what you gotta do ...
DeleteThere is something so peaceful about taking the moment to watch the flame flicker. I like buying different seasonal scents too. Take that deep breath. Great practice, Linda!
ReplyDeleteYes. Breathing deep is bliss.
DeleteAmen, Linda. Light always follows darkness. Jesus is here with us, now. Lighting a candle in acknowledgement of this Truth is comforting indeed. Bless you, friend!
ReplyDeleteLight follows darkness.
DeleteAnd in that truth, lies our hope.
Jesus.
What a wonderful idea, Linda, especially now when many of us are waking up in the dark as winter encroaches. I also absolutely love that Holy Spirit song - so reflective, calming, and a call for our lives to be filled with God's love and grace.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing, my friend!
I prefer sunlight when my eyes open, but 'tis the season, isn't it, Martha. The first thing I do when I get up is open those shades wide to let any little bit of dawn inside ...
DeleteAhhh, Linda. I love a lit scented candle in the early morning with my cuppa java and God's word. I'm so thankful that we can hear our SAvior's voice in the stillness. We can know the presence of His Spirit when we seek Him.
ReplyDeleteTime with the Lord. A huge mug of something steamy. A burning candle. An old quilt.
DeleteLet the day begin!
A candle flicker may seem like a small light, but it brings about an unmeasurable joy! Thank you for reminding us of taking that moment to light our light within.
ReplyDeleteLynn, I love how you've linked up light and joy. A match made in heaven ...
Deleteoh i so love this! I used to do this years ago when my boys were young and we were in the throws of homeschooling and i needed the reminder to rest in Him. Those boys are nearly grown now and i still need the reminder for my own day. so thank you for this, I will begin again in the morning.
ReplyDeleteYes, Mariel, the seasons change and our responsibilities as moms morph, too. Yet those spiritual necessities that remind us to rest in Jesus remain and beg to be tended to.
DeleteI like your welcoming the Holy Spirit into your home. I’m going to start, and saying it aloud. Thank you for terrific idea. Gail
ReplyDeleteSaying something out loud makes whatever it is more real, more concrete, more of a commitment. Thanks for joining me in this practice, Gail ...
DeleteI love the idea of lighting a candle. Where the Spirit is there is definitely peace, which I stand in need of. Bless you Linda!
ReplyDeleteOh Pam, yes, we are in need of peace in all the ways that matter most.
DeleteOnly Jesus. Only Jesus.
I'm not much into lighting candles but do upon occasion. I can't say I have done it for the reason suggested here. However, I do like the idea: come apart or we will come apart. I cannot express how much I need time away with Him.
ReplyDelete'come apart or we will come apart.'
DeleteYou said it all, Bill. You said it all. More than ever we need to make choices to encounter the Lord in vibrant and powerful ways.
Beautiful thoughts, Linda. I do love a gently flickering flame on my kitchen island, and after reading this, even more so. That old roller coaster has been swinging me around a bit more than usual today ... I think it's time to light a candle and remind myself that the Spirit of the Lord is right beside me, right now. :-)
ReplyDeleteIs it me or is the roller coaster ride even crazier as the holidays loom?
DeleteThankfully, the Lord is right beside us, right now. I love how you phrased that, Lois ...
I love a candle flickering in the evening too, Linda; especially this time of year. During this busy season, we are careful to take time to relax and savour it by focusing on Him who brought forth all this JOY. His coming long ago, made a way for us to enjoy this life which leads to the next when we believe and trust in Him. Jesus is the Reason for the Season! Thank you for sharing your lovely post at No Place Like Home. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSandi, good morning! It's been lovely to have found you this past week ... I'm going to enjoy being part of your community. So sweet, so encouraging, so practical!
DeleteI love discovering new places where writers and creatives share their homes as well as their words.
Bless you!
I love the idea of lighting a morning candle. I light an evening candle and one in my kitchen during the day. Thank you for visiting my blog! May you have a beautiful week.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me smile that so many are lighting candles ...
DeleteAnd I'm glad to meet you, Kitty!
Lovely. Nothing compares with our Lord and Savior, God our Father, and the Holy Spirit, three in one. Lighting a candle in the morning sounds like a nice start to the day. Happy December to you.
ReplyDeleteThankful with you, Ellen, for the Trinity's impact in our daily lives ...
DeleteI usually light my candle in the evening, but I like your practice of lighting it in the morning. I should try that since I'm working from home!
ReplyDeleteOh what a calming start to yet another work day! I love that idea, Margie ...
DeleteLighting candles is a lovely way to begin or end the day. So is singing. I've stopped listening to the radio on the way to school in the morning and instead I sing - mostly old hymns. It calms me and focuses my thoughts on God before I deal with high school students. Visiting from Sandi's No Place Like Home.
ReplyDeleteYep, there's nothing like the old hymns, Lorrie. I've been singing them in my head and heart as I drift off to sleep forever, but this past year finds me singing them right out loud, be it off-key, all through the day.
DeleteI'm so glad you're here, Lorrie. i feel like you're a kindred spirit already!