Beautiful Threads

“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”  Albert Schweitzer

Have you ever found yourself with an extinguished inner flame?  How do you keep from becoming one of those people who lives the rest of their life in a cold, winter-like state?  I recently found myself in this predicament.  It scared me.  I’ve always been overflowing with joy, and suddenly, thanks to a mountain of circumstances, my fire was going out.  I tried to rekindle the fire on my own; I prayed to God for help, but what I failed to do until this last week was to be open and honest with the people who surround me.  Then, in a vulnerable moment, I shared with a group of women how I was losing my joy. 

Over the next few days, God used the people in my life to fan the fire in my soul.  There was a thoughtful gift left on my doorstep, a sweet card in my mailbox, a beautiful email in my inbox, and text messages encouraging me throughout the day.  During this same time, I had visits from my favorite out-of-towners; my two best girlfriends and my parents.  My flame is stronger now, no longer in danger of being extinguished.  God was faithful and answered my prayer.  And I was reminded how God uses people to do His work. 

I’m convinced that the threads of relationships are sacred.  When strongly woven, they can wrap us in God’s love and keep us warm through the blizzards of life.  I’m blessed to have beautiful threads in my life, and I’m obligated, as a follower of Christ, to serve as a beautiful thread in the lives of others.  This life is made to live in community.  What a grand and perfect design!