As we were opening presents, we found to our surprise a gift for each of us from our mother. In her forethought, she had already bought a small gift for each of us. The tears flowed as we opened the small gifts. My mother had given us all the same thing: an emergency flint and steel starter.
A little in shock, we all thought of our mother's need to make sure we were prepared for anything that came our way. She gave us each year something to add to our emergency kit, and this year had been no different.
At our Christmas dinner, my brother Jon gave his thoughts on what this small present meant. To paraphrase: In life, we all need to keep a fire burning. Matches can start a fire, but if they get wet, they are useless. There is one sure way to get a fire started, and that is with flint and steel. He then likened this to the gospel. We cannot rely on the matches of life to always be there to start our fire, only the gospel with its constant fire made with flint and steel will be there through any storm.
At my mother's funeral, Jon said (again to paraphrase): Tough times are an invitation to decide which side we'll stand on. We decide to either let the hard things consume us or we can give it to Christ, who is waiting to take our burden. What is the Raynes family without Joe and without Alice? When we ache for our parents, we choose to find comfort in Christ. This is the Raynes family.
6 comments:
That was beautiful Stephanie. I needed to read it today and be reminded. I can only imagine how hard it would be not to have my parents around. My prayers of peace Nd love are with you. :)
Beautifully stated! Thanks for sharing something so wonderful and pertinent for each of us.
So touching, Stef! You and your family are such an inspiration. I can't even begin to imagine how your heart was feeling in the quiet moments where you didn't have to put on a happy face. Big hugs to you! And if anyone can "go and do" ... it's you!
You are so wise beyond your years. You have no idea the smile this post brought to your mother's face!
AND MAN! Is it just me, or does Jon have the world's greatest analogies? He obviously listened closely to the wise words of your dad!
great post!!! something all of us can strive to do!!
You (or did it begin with your parents) make outsiders feel a want to be a Raynes too. Or perhaps it's your writing that transfers the ache of your parents loss to my heart as well. Either way, it makes me want to "Go and do like wise."
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