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The sky stretches inky black above us as we wait for the first spark to light it with color. Whizz. Bang. Suddenly the evening is filled with red and blue and yellow. We ooh-and-aah as each firework explodes and sends ashes to the ground.
When it’s over we walk back into the house–back to the ordinary of dishes, laundry and conversations about what we’ll do tomorrow.
As I drift off to sleep a quote someone once shared with me drifts across my mind, “Be a candle not a firework.” In other words, shine brightly for a lifetime not just a brief, spectacular time.
But how do we do this?
Here are three ways to perhaps make it happen…
* Live with intention – Fireworks are scattered. A million sparks in a thousand directions. Candles burn with a single flame. Be thoughtful about how you spend your time, affection and resources.
* Stay steady – We love fireworks because of the thrill and excitement. Candles aren’t quite as glamorous but they last much longer. Sure, we can have “firework moments” and that’s great. In daily life, be quietly faithful to what God has called you to do.
* Go for substance, not show – A firework is flashy and draws a crowd. But as a source of light and warmth, well, they don’t quite do the trick. Stay true to your purpose, even when it seems no one notices.
I’m all for fireworks and I’ll be staring at the sky with a smile of wonder this time next year. But there are 364 days in between. And on those it will be candles that glow in my home.
Each time I light one and set it on a dinner table or in a window, I’ll remember that sometimes being steady, faithful, and intentional can make us shine brighter than we will ever fully realize.
{You shine. More than you know. Keep it up.}
XOXO
Holley Gerth
p.s. I’m happy to be writing at God-Sized Dreams today and invite you to join me there for more encouragement.
p.p.s. If you like this post you’ll love this book – You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be
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I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth
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