At the beginning of the summer I treated myself with the purchase of a beautiful fire pit. It is cut iron with an image of a bear and a cub toasting marshmallows! It is fun and serviceable. I have loved lighting up a fire and sitting there as the day fades away. There is something about staring into a campfire that grounds me. It give times to just sit and reflect.
Fire, in and of itself, is pretty magical. Strike a match – there is fire. Warming, brightening, dangerous fire. Yes, dangerous, we need only listen to the news reports these days to hear of the destruction being wrought by the wild fires on the west coast of the US. Forests, wood lots, pasture land, towns, homes and human life are being destroyed by fire as its sweeps its way across the landscape. But when it is contained and nurtured in my fire pit it is a spiritual time of reflection and meditation.
Last month as I sat by the fire, there was a full moon rising overhead. Can there be anything more grounding than a campfire and anything more expansive than a full moon overhead? I felt the power of both. I felt called in and opened up at the same time. It was an incredible time of prayer and the memory lingers like the smell of wood smoke.
Simple things can move us to God. Simple things like striking a match or watching the moon can take our imagination and our spirit to places of wonder and reflection.
After a few days of cool wet weather it is a beautiful afternoon. I think it will be a good night for a campfire. Time for some praying and some dreaming.
We also sat around the campfire the other night reconnecting with my dear friend from high school. It certainly wasn’t quiet, but it was reflective, as we shared stories of how our lives have been shaped since we were kids. The glow from the fire on our faces and the warm embrace of the heat was a perfect end to a beautiful day✨